School nurses urge students to get vaccinated against meningitis, a rare bacterial disease known to kill young people at higher rates than any other age group.
Vaccination from meningococcal disease is recommended for college freshmen living in dorms and preteens and teens ages 11 to 18. Teens and young adults are five times more likely to die of the disease. But just one-third of Floridians in that age group have been vaccinated, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Hillsborough County Health Department and Florida Association of School Nurses say students ideally should be vaccinated before returning to school, as the disease can spread easily in close quarters, and through contact such as sharing eating utensils or drinks.
The CDC says between 1,000 to 2,600 Americans get meningococcal disease each year, and 10 percent will die of the blood infection known to cause swelling of the brain or spinal column. Symptoms appear much like common viral infections, but can rapidly develop more serious complications.
For more information, visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org.
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