Health Department Confirms Cary-Grove High Student has Bacterial Meningitis

The McHenry County Health Department has confirmed a Cary-Grove High School student has bacterial meningitis.

The health department is now working to determine individuals who have had close contact with the student. Those individuals are being referred to a primary care physician for treatment, according to a post on the Community High School District 155 website

Bacterial meningitis is usually severe, according to the CDC. While most people with meningitis recover, the disease can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. There are about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis each year and 500 result in death.

The McHenry County Department of Health provided the following additional information on bacterial meningitis:

• Bacterial meningitis is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions.
• Fortunately, these bacteria are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.
• Therefore Neisseria meningitidis bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningococcal disease has been.
• It can be spread to people who have had close or lengthy contact with a case of meningococcal disease, such as, people in the same household, roommates, or anyone with direct contact with a case.
• Meningococcal vaccines are available that help protect against meningococcal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends vaccinating individuals age 11 to 18 years with meningococcal vaccine.