NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk Division of Public Well being mentioned Thursday it’s investigating a bacterial meningitis case.
This comes simply two days after Hampton faculty officers confirmed {that a} scholar attending Francis Asbury Elementary College died from meningitis.
Hampton elementary faculty scholar dies from meningitis
The Norfolk Division of Public Well being famous that the micro organism are unfold person-to-person via respiratory and throat secretions, and never by informal contact or by merely respiration air the place an individual with the illness has been.
Methods bacterial meningitis can unfold:
Coughing or sneezing instantly into one other’s face
Kissing on the mouth
Sharing drinks, consuming utensils, cigarettes, vapes, lipstick or toothbrushes
Signs of meningococcal illness embody:
Sudden fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Altered psychological standing
Gentle sensitivity
Different potential signs can embody chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and in later phases, a darkish purple, brown or black rash may seem.
Bacterial meningitis could be prevented via a vaccine, which individuals can obtain from the Norfolk Division of Well being.
Throughout its investigations of meningitis instances, the well being division seeks to determine individuals who had been in shut contact with the contaminated particular person, with steps taken to stop additional an infection. These steps embody prescribing an antibiotic and offering the meningococcal vaccine.
Anybody with questions in regards to the meningococcal vaccine can name their native well being division or medical supplier. For extra data, go to VDH.Virginia.gov/Norfolk.