How Does the Meningitis Vaccine Protect Me for College?

Posted: Jan 17th, 2023 at 12:00AM - by Brenda Carrillo

group of people studying together

College is a huge milestone in every young adult’s life. It's when you take the next step in your education and also get that first real taste of freedom. However, it also puts you in a new environment where you become vulnerable to novel health risks. Add to that the fact that many (if not most) college students are tired, underslept, and don’t always follow a healthy diet, and the body starts to struggle. One such illness college students are particularly vulnerable to is meningitis.

Wait, What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Generally, meningitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. However, certain health conditions like cancer, infections, injuries, and the use of certain drugs, can also cause meningitis.

Types of Meningitis

There are technically three types of meningitis. As the name suggests, bacterial meningitis is an infection caused by bacteria. If not attended to immediately, it can lead to permanent conditions like brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. In worse cases, it can lead to death.

Viral meningitis is the most common type, generally caused by a virus. It's less severe than bacterial meningitis as people can get better on their own without treatment. However, it's best to see a healthcare provider at the onset of symptoms so that they don't become more serious.

While it's rare, people can get fungal meningitis by inhaling fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop after a fungal infection spreads from somewhere else in the body to the brain or spinal cord.

Symptoms of Meningitis

The most common signs of meningitis include:

  • Altered mental state
  • Chills, fever, and headache
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • A general feeling of being unwell
  • Irritability
  • Lethargy
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rashes
  • Respiratory problems
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to bright light
  • Sleepiness

College student sick with meningitisSerious meningitis complications can include:

  • Amputations
  • Brain damage
  • Deafness
  • Death
  • Neurological complications
  • Shock

Meningitis can be life-threatening, so it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. Your healthcare provider will have to perform tests to determine which type of meningitis you have in order to prescribe you the right treatment.

Why is Meningitis Common for College Students?

Meningitis is contagious as it easily spreads through contact with bodily fluids or droplet secretion like saliva. It can also pass quickly among people who share a living environment or close quarters.

According to research, college students have a higher risk of acquiring meningitis than individuals who are not attending college. In fact, college campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease in recent years.

Areas like classrooms, dormitories, gymnasiums, and residence halls are high-risk locations for meningitis transmission. As such, college students living and spending time in close quarters are more susceptible to acquiring meningitis.

College campus librarySimilarly, certain behaviors are also known to increase the risk of transmitting the disease. These include:

  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Kissing
  • Living in close areas
  • Sharing eating, drinking, and smoking devices
  • Smoking

How Does the Meningitis Vaccine Provide Protection for College Students?

Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent dangerous and life-threatening diseases. By using the body’s natural defenses and strengthening the immune system, vaccines help reduce the risk of infections. Some vaccines can even create lifelong immunity to reduce the chances of acquiring and transmitting the diseases.

But how do vaccines work exactly?

Vaccines work by helping the immune system make more antibodies that fight infections naturally. They contain a modified version of the disease-causing germ that's either weakened or inactivated. Once administered, the body responds to it like a full-fledged germ. As an effect, it's trained to recognize the vaccines and create antibodies to protect you from getting future infections.

Similarly, vaccines imitate certain infections, causing the body to produce antibodies and T-lymphocytes. Generally, this type of vaccine does not lead to illnesses, but you may experience minor side effects, like body pains and mild fever, while the body builds immunity. These side effects usually go away within a couple of days.

Essentially, vaccines protect the body by exposing it to inactivated, killed, or weakened illness-causing germs, enabling the natural immune system to understand how to fight them. Once the imitation infection leaves your body, the memory cells automatically remember how to fight the diseases should the real germs invade the body.

How e7 Health Can Help Protect You from Meningitis

As a preventative health and wellness company, e7 Health offers vaccines for meningitis to help you and your family stay protected. Our immunization services include all vaccines available in the country (excluding COVID-19 vaccines) that are required for immigration, school, travel, work, or general health protections. We also assist you in scheduling all follow-up doses to ensure you don't miss any part of your vaccine series.

College student standing outside holding textbookWe understand that some individuals may need their vaccines urgently. That's why we offer same- and next-day appointments for vaccinations and laboratory services with little to no waiting involved.

Our clinics are supervised by Board-certified clinicians. We provide comprehensive preventative health and wellness services. If you are a student, we offer a discount and charge you no administrative fees. And we allow you to book your appointments online, so you can schedule as soon as needed.

At e7 Health, we ensure that you get the health services you need to have a safe and healthy life. Book your appointment online now!

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