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A student in Mansfield, Missouri who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis is recovering at home after being discharged from the hospital. KSMU’s Alvin Chen reports.

Randy Short is the Superintendent for the Mansfield School District. He says Mansfield High School is taking precautions and getting the word out about the disease.

Meningitis is an infection of the areas surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a virus or by bacteria. The bacterial meningitis is generally more severe. It can result in brain damage, hearing loss or death. Common symptoms of bacterial meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

Earlier this month, two soldiers stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in central Missouri died of bacterial meningitis.

Kendra Williams is the Administrator of Community Health and Epidemiology for the Springfield Greene County Health Department. She says in Greene County, meningitis is not as common as influenza, but it’s not rare.

Williams says the most important thing that can help prevent the spread of the disease is to practice respiratory etiquette. That means if you sneeze or cough, do so into your elbow instead of your hands.

For KSMU News, I’m Alvin Chen.
 

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