MEASLES-MUMPS-RUBELLA
If you were born after January 1, 1957,
you must provide JCC proof of immunity against
measles, mumps, and rubella.
Since
failure to comply will result in suspension
from the college and a $25 fine, please
give this matter your immediate attention.
REMEMBER,
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
GETTING ALL IMMUNIZATION RECORDS TO JCC.
MENINGOCOCCAL
MENINGITIS FACT SHEET
WHAT
IS MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS? This
type of meningitis is a severe bacterial
infection of the bloodstream or meninges
(a thin lining covering the brain and spinal
cord). It is a relatively rare disease and
usually occurs as a single isolated event.
Clusters of cases or outbreaks are rare
in the United States.
HOW
IS THIS DISEASE SPREAD? Meningococcal
disease is transmitted through the air via
droplets of respiratory secretions and direct
contact with an infected person. Direct
contact, for these purposes, is defined
as oral contact with shared items such as
cigarettes or drinking glasses or through
intimate contact such as kissing. Although
anyone can come in contact with the bacteria
that causes this disease, data also indicates
certain social behaviors, such as exposure
to passive and active smoking, bar patronage,
and excessive alcohol consumption, may put
students at increased risk for the disease.
Patients with respiratory infections, compromised
immunity, those in close contact to a known
case, and travelers to endemic areas of
the world are also at increased risk.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS? The early symptoms
usually associated with meningococcal disease
include fever, severe headache, stiff neck,
rash, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy, and
may resemble the flu. Because the disease
progresses rapidly, often in as little as
12 hours, students are urged to seek medical
care immediately if they experience two
or more of these symptoms concurrently.
The disease is occasionally fatal.
HOW
SOON DO THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR? The
symptoms may appear two to ten days after
exposure, but usually within five days.
WHAT
IS THE TREATMENT FOR MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Antibiotics, such as penicillin G or ceftriaxone,
can be used to treat people with meningococcal
disease.
SHOULD
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A DIAGNOSED
CASE OF MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS BE TREATED?
Only people who have been in close contact
(household members, intimate contacts, health
care personnel performing mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation, day care center playmates,
etc.) need to be considered for preventive
treatment. Casual contact as might occur
in a regular classroom, office or factory
setting is not usually significant enough
to cause concern.
IS
THERE A VACCINE TO PREVENT MENINGOCOCCAL
MENINGITIS? Presently, there is
a vaccine that will protect against some
of the strains of meningococcus. It is recommended
in outbreak situations, and for those traveling
to areas of the world where high rates of
the disease are known to occur. For some
college students, such as freshmen living
in dormitories, there is a modestly increased
risk of meningococcal disease.
HOW
EFFECTIVE IS THE VACCINE? The vaccine
has been shown to provide protection against
the most common strains of the disease.
The vaccine has shown to be 85 to 100 percent
effective in serogroups A and C in older
children and adults.
IS
THE VACCINE SAFE AND HOW LONG DOES IT PROVIDE
PROTECTION? The vaccine is very
safe and adverse reactions are mild and
infrequent. The meningococcal vaccine’s
efficacy is approximately three to five
years.
(Information provided by
the New
York State Department of Health Website)
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