Meningitis vaccine
1906-1910) showed that college students who live on campus have triple the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection compared with their peers who live off-campus. Among the factors cited for a higher risk of the disease on campus were the relative crowding associated with dormitory residence, alcohol-related behaviors, and exposure to tobacco smoke. The same factors make young adults who are military recruits at higher risk for meningococcal meningitis and provide the basis for recommendations that they, too, receive the vaccine.
The vaccine is generally effective against most strains of the bacteria affecting college students in the U.S. (In technical terms, it is about 85% effective against the 4 strains of the bacteria that cause about two-thirds of the cases of meningococcal meningitis among college students). Protection by the vaccine lasts at least 3 years. A booster is not needed in college
The vaccine has been well-tested and is safe. Side effects are mild, mainly low fever and pain and tenderness at the site of the immunization for a day or so afterwards.
The vaccine is not recommended for the general population because of the low incidence of this type of infection and also because it is not effective against the strains of the bacteria that cause disease among infants and others outside the college age range.
Read Also:
- Meningitis, aseptic
Inflammation of the meninges that is not caused by bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis, but other causes include systemic lupus erythematosus, cancers, Behcet’s disease, medications, and others. See also meningitis, viral.
- Meningitis, bacterial
Inflammation of the meninges due to a bacterial infection. Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) was formerly the leading cause of bacterial meningitis before the 1990s, but childhood vaccinationshave reduced the occurrence of meningitis due to H. influenzae. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis. High fever, headache, and stiff neck […]
- Meningitis, benign recurrent aseptic
Recurring meninges without identifiable cause that leaves no residual damage to the nervous system. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is also called Mollaret meningitis. The cause of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is not known. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is distinguished from viral meningitis by its recurrent character with symptom-free intervals between episodes. Symptoms include headache, neckache, […]
- Meningitis, infectious
Inflammation of the meninges due to bacterial, viral, or protozoan infection. Most of the agents known to cause meningitis are infectious, but very few people exposed to them develop meningitis. Those at greatest risk for infectious meningitis include people with AIDS, infants, transplant patients, and others whose immune systems may be compromised. For this reason, […]
- Meningitis, cryptococcal
Diflucan) to prevent reinfection.