Full Version: Meningitis In Chicago
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There has been reported in the news today of 6 cases of meningitis in the gay area of Chicago. 3 dead. All male. I watched the news for a minute this morning and there is a great concern.
What and how can this be stopped? Should we be alarmed? Not a big number but 6 cases and 3 dead. Your input? What do you think?
What and how can this be stopped? Should we be alarmed? Not a big number but 6 cases and 3 dead. Your input? What do you think?
how do they normal stop meningitis? however they do it, that is how they should stop it. a few months ago (maybe longer) a couple people died of the "black death" i.e. bubonic plauge. in the colorado foothills and mountians (and likely elsewhere) there are mice and squirels infected with it. I'm a little more concerned about THAT then meningitis (which we deal with much more) remember, the plauge killed a third of europe. if it were to mutate to a form we don't know anything about, than we could be in major trouble. also, an army lab has been succesful in removing the deadly genes of the 1918 "spanish flu" (which first appeared on army bases) and inserted them into a less lethal flu strain.
things like THAT scare me more then meningitis. I am not alarmed by a small meningitis outbreak.
QUOTE(http://www.sunshine-project.org/publications/pr/pr091003.html)
The 'Spanish Flu' influenza virus that killed 20-40 million people in 1918 is currently under reconstruction. Several genes of the extraordinarily lethal 1918 flu virus have been isolated and introduced into contemporary flu strains. These proved to be lethal for mice, while virus constructs with genes from a current flu virus types had hardly any effect. These experiments may easily be abused for military purposes, but provide little benefit from a medical or public health point of view.
The 1918 Spanish Flu was highly infectious and – in comparison to contemporary flu viruses – killed a very high percentage of those infected, including many younger people. The Spanish Flu alone caused the medium life expectancy in the US in 1918 to drop by 10 years. Hence, flu viruses are perceived today as a serious biological warfare threat. Just two weeks ago, a 15 million dollar research grant was awarded in the US to develop protective measures especially against a bioterrorist attack with flu viruses.
The 1918 Spanish Flu was highly infectious and – in comparison to contemporary flu viruses – killed a very high percentage of those infected, including many younger people. The Spanish Flu alone caused the medium life expectancy in the US in 1918 to drop by 10 years. Hence, flu viruses are perceived today as a serious biological warfare threat. Just two weeks ago, a 15 million dollar research grant was awarded in the US to develop protective measures especially against a bioterrorist attack with flu viruses.
things like THAT scare me more then meningitis. I am not alarmed by a small meningitis outbreak.
QUOTE(Momof3 @ Oct 20 2003, 12:05 AM)
There has been reported in the news today of 6 cases of meningitis in the gay area of Chicago. 3 dead. All male. I watched the news for a minute this morning and there is a great concern.
What and how can this be stopped?
What and how can this be stopped?
We need to teach the public about how it spreads and how people can prevent epidemics. Just like how we do it with AIDS or any other disease
QUOTE
Should we be alarmed?
Not yet. Not until it reaches epidemic levels. Then everyone can start panicing. Overreaction can cause paranoia which can sometimes result in dangerous incidents. America is a 1st world country and we are better equipped to handle any medical emergencies (although some experts have said we aren't yet fully ready for bioterrorist attacks
).
From what I have learned the past couple of days is there are 2 forms of meningitis. Viral and Bacterial. One is very deadly. I can't remember which.
I believe bacterial is the one most deadly. They said on the news the symptoms are headache fever etc. that feel like the flu but if not treated within 24 hours you are usually dead. Most deaths are because people think they have just the flu.
I did not know till today also they have vaccaination for the meningitis and they are giving it for free.
I think people have to beware and if you have flu sympthoms in the area where the deaths are go to the Dr. even if you think you may just have the flu.
I believe bacterial is the one most deadly. They said on the news the symptoms are headache fever etc. that feel like the flu but if not treated within 24 hours you are usually dead. Most deaths are because people think they have just the flu.
I did not know till today also they have vaccaination for the meningitis and they are giving it for free.
I think people have to beware and if you have flu sympthoms in the area where the deaths are go to the Dr. even if you think you may just have the flu.
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