Protect Your Adolescents Against More Than Just A Cold T... ( Late-Winter Early-Spring ...)

Protect Your Adolescents Against More Than Just A Cold This Winter

Date:2/25/2008

Late-Winter, Early-Spring is Meningitis Peak Season

MARIETTA, Ga., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As a parent, you often take extra health precautions to protect your child from "winter" illnesses such as colds and the flu, but the National Meningitis Association (NMA) wants to be sure you know about one preventative health measure that is often overlooked -- vaccination against meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease, commonly called meningitis, is a potentially deadly bacterial infection that can strike adolescents and young adults. The disease moves quickly and can lead to death or permanent disability, such as brain damage, organ failure or limb amputations, within hours of first symptoms. While meningococcal disease can occur at any point throughout the year, cases peak in the late-winter and early-spring months reinforcing the importance of seeking vaccination this time of year rather than waiting for back-to-school physicals.

To help prevent infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends meningococcal vaccination for all adolescents 11 through 18 years of age and college freshmen living in dormitories. Yet, according to a recent national consumer awareness survey conducted by NMA, nearly half of parents polled were unaware that their adolescent children were recommended for vaccination.

"It's unfortunate how many parents don't know about meningococcal disease or that there is a vaccine available to help protect their children," said Tama Lee, Director of NMA. "I lost my son, Casey, to meningococcal disease when he was in high school, and it wasn't until after he died that I learned his death may have been prevented with a simple vaccination."

Meningococcal disease is spread through air droplets and direct contact with those who are infected, such as through coughing or kissing. The disease strikes nearly 3,000 Americans each year and can be easily misdiagnosed since symptoms often mimic tho
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