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Meningitis Kills School Counselor And Student In Same Week
New York (dbTechno) – Meningitis is beginning to show just what type of devastation it can cause as it has killed a guidance counselor of a Catholic school in Queens, as well as a high school student in Massapequa on Long Island, all in the same week.
City officials have come out and stated that the guidance counselor who died was from the Saint Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadow. They are looking into if anyone had enough contact with the counselor which would put them at risk of catching the disease as well.
As for the high school student, it was 17-year-old Michael Gruber from Massapequa High School, a senior, who unfortunately also died from bacterial meningitis this week.
He went to bed on Wednesday night with symptoms that appeared to be very similar to the flu. By Thursday morning they got to the point where he had to go to the hospital. By Thursday afternoon, the tragic death took place as the bacterial meningitis killed the young man.
He marked the first death from meningococcal meningitis in Nassau County since 2004. Every year it kills about 300 people, with 2,500 being infected.
Health officials are still looking into if it could have spread any further.
Author: Staff
My heart goes out to yet another family who has lost a precious loved one from Bacterial Meningitis. I am one of three families in Cedar Rapids, IA who have lost their children within the past four years to this deadly disease. We knew little about meningitis and were not aware that a vaccine was available to help protect our children. This illness mimics the flu and even fools the doctors into a false diagnosis until it is too late. Our children died within 15 hours of the first “flu-like” symptoms. Families need to be educated on the risks, symptoms and prevention methods. Minutes count so it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately to save the life of your child. Early signs are: fever, leg pain, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin color. Classic signs are: headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, fever, vomiting and a rash. Survivors can have long term disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations. Adolescents and young adults have an increased risk of contracting this disease due to lifestyle factors. Since the bacteria is spread through air droplets and direct contact with someone who is infected, this age group is more susceptible from sharing items by mouth (water bottles, cigarettes, lip balm, eating utensils, kissing, etc.) Crowded living situations, such as dormitories and sleep away camps, add to the risk. A new vaccine (Menactra) protects against four of the five strains and has been recommended by the CDC beginning at age 11 through the college years. Our children died from a vaccine preventable disease. Parents, please don’t wait – vaccinate your children. Visit http://www.nmaus.org for valuable information.