How To Avoid The Meningitis Outbreak
The meningitis outbreak of 2012 initially had many people very concerned for their health and safety and that of those people they care about.
Once the outbreak information began to be reported and investigated, it was learned that the meningitis was a fungal type infection.
Where it came from and how to deal with it details soon followed and the public had the information needed to be informed and proactive in keeping themselves safe.
The Recent Meningitis Outbreak
The meningitis outbreak in the United States has had many people worried. This outbreak was determined to be a fungal outbreak, which eased many minds once people realized fungal meningitis is not passed from person to person.
This rare type of meningitis is typically caused by a fungus that is transmitted through the blood to the spinal cord. In the case of this specific October 2012 outbreak, the fungal meningitis cause was traced to contaminated medications.
Patients who received epidural steroid injections were the ones affected by the infection.
The CDC and other agencies traced the fungal contamination to medications from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) located in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Unless you are a patient who received an injection of this contaminated medication, you are not at risk for this outbreak of fungal meningitis.
If you have had an epidural steroid injection in your back recently, contact your medical provider immediately to determine the details of where your medication came from.
How To Avoid The Current Meningitis Outbreak
While this outbreak is a type of meningitis is not one that is passed from person to person, people still need to be aware of the infection and how to avoid contracting it.
If you are a patient who has had steroid injections via epidural, it is important that you contact your doctor immediately, even if you have not experienced any meningitis symptoms such as high fever, headache and confusion.
Most patients who were given the contaminated medication should have been contacted by their healthcare providers by now.
If steroid injections are part of your medical treatment plan, it would be a good idea to discuss alternatives with your doctor until the outbreak has passed and the medications deemed safe again.
While the CDC has determined the cause and where the medications came from, there are new cases cropping up amid the investigation, thus it would be wise to refrain from steroid injections for treatment at this time. Consulting your medical professionals for alternatives is likely the best next step.
If you or someone you care about experiences the symptoms of meningitis, it is critical to obtain immediate medical treatment.
Once the diagnosis is made and treatment is under way, meningitis can be survived without harmful damage to the body.
The Treatment For Fungal Meningitis
The treatment for this outbreak of fungal meningitis will typically involve the administration of high dose antifungal medications given through an IV line while the patient is in the hospital.
The duration of the treatment depends upon the patient’s immune system and the specific type of fungus that has caused this infection.
Again, unless you are a patient who received a direct injection of this contaminated medication, you are not at risk in any way.
If you have had an epidural steroid injection in your back recently, contact your medical provider immediately to determine the details of where your medication came from.
