Information About Meningococcal Disease
Advice from Steve Kairys, M.D. chairman of pediatrics at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ
Steven Kairys, MD, MPH is the Chairman, Department of Pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital and Jersey Shore University Hospital, both in Neptune, NJ. He offered this information about the disease on Saturday. Meningococcal disease (Meningococcemia) causes 2,000 to 3,000 cases a year. Meningococcus is a bacteria, and humans are its only reservoir. It can live dormant in the nasal passages for long periods without causing disease, but can be transmitted to another person. It occurs more frequently in young children, and there is also an increase in teens ages 15-19. Three or four strains of the bacteria cause disease. It is acquired by the respiratory route and can invade the bloodstream quickly. It causes septic shock, bruising…
Christina Johnson
10:46 pm on Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thank you for sharing with us, Olga. more ›