What Is Meningitis?
A bacteria in the nose or back of throat that can spread through saliva and close contact.
Who Is At Risk?
Anyone can get meningitis, but rates of the disease peak in adolescence, with the highest rates among teens and young adults 16-23 years old. Anyone living in close quarters including college environments.
How To Protect?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination is the best defense against meningococcal disease.
Why Be Concerned?
Meningococcal disease, known as meningitis, is an uncommon but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.1
Stats of Death
1 in 10 who contract meningitis will die, despite treatment.
Non-fatal Symptoms
Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious infection of the blood (sepsis).5
What Do I Need To Do?
There are two different types of vaccinations needed to help protect against the 5 vaccine-preventable groups of meningitis (one for groups A, C, W, and Y and another for group B).