Meningitis B Information

Be smart and get Immunized!

Meningococcal infections are deadly and can strike without warning, even among healthy college students. Among those that survive, up to 20% will have permanent disability such as brain damage, amputations, kidney damage, and hearing loss. Recently, there have been several outbreaks of meningitis on college campuses caused by an emerging strain, serotype B, which is not covered by the traditional vaccine which is required by the College.

Bailey Health Center has both Trumenba and Bexsero availble to make it easier than ever to get vaccinated for this strain of meningitis.

college students sharing an ice cream cone with a hello my name is meningitis sticker

Here’s what you need to know

Serogroup B meningococcal disease (MenB) is a serious bacterial infection that can cause long-term effects in survivors such as:

Amputations
Speech Problems
Brain Damage
Vision Loss
Motor Impairment

Typical adolescent and young adult behavior can spread the bacteria

College students are ~3.5 times more likely to contract serogroup B meningococcal disease (MenB) than those who don’t attend college. MenB risk is increased by typical adolescent and young adult behaviors, such as:

Close-Quartered Living and Group Hangouts
Sharing Drinks or Utensils
Kissing

Early symptoms and long-term impact

Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as the flu, but meningococcal disease can potentially lead to permanent harm or death within 24 hours.

Videos

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Patti Wukovits,
a mother and nurse

In this 3 minute video, Patti Wukovits, a mother and nurse, discusses how she lost her daughter to meningitis B. There was nothing she could do because there was not a vaccine at the time.

 

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Tammy & Molly,
a mother and daughter

In this 3 minute video, Tammy and Molly, mother and daughter, share their story of how Molly went from being a healthy freshman in college to being on life support after contracting meningococcal meningitis.