Q:
What should we know about meningitis B?
A:
Meningitis B is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. People from 10 to 25 years old have the highest rate of catching the disease.
Meningitis B is an infection caused by bacteria. Patients’ spinal cord and brain are affected. The disease may later lead to a blood infection.
Symptoms:
- A stiff neck
- Confusion
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
Ways of spreading:
- Sharing drinks or food or eating utensils
- Kissing
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Living in close quarters
Severe consequences:
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Brain damage
- Death within 24 hours
Vaccine:
The vaccine can protect people from getting the disease. In the U.S. people aged 10 to 25 can get a vaccine. But in places where there have been outbreaks, people from all age groups can get it.
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