A boy from Knapp Elementary School has meningitis, according to the Montgomery County Health Department.
Anyone who came in contact with him should be get prophylactic treatment.
The fourth grader was admitted to Abington Health Lansdale Hospital and then transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
He has the bacterial form of meningitis, which can be spread through close social contact.
The infection is caused by a bacterium that can cause fever, headaches, stiff neck, lethargy and rash.
It can be severe and occasionally fatal.
The Health Department recommends that anyone who had close direct contact with this fourth grade student receive prophylactic (preventive) treatment with the antibiotic Rifampin or Cipro. This medication will help prevent illness in close contacts.
Anyone with further questions should contact their private physician or the Montgomery County Health Department at (610) 278-5117.
The student’s last day in school was December 5, 2008. The Health Department recommends that any students with close direct contact between November 27, 2008 and December 9, 2008 be treated to help prevent spreading the infection.
The bacteria are spread between people through coughing, sneezing and kissing.
Because the bacteria cannot live long outside of the body, they should not be considered airborne or waterborne. They are not spread in water supplies, swimming pools, or by routine contact in schools, dining rooms, restrooms, and places of employment.
Only those who have close direct contact to an infected individual are at risk of developing a meningococcal infection.
Being in close contact means being directly exposed to an infected individual’s nose and throat secretions; for example through kissing or sharing toothbrushes, cigarettes, drinks or eating utensils.
Due to close and regular contact, household members are always considered at high risk of infection.
Children in day care centers and nursery schools are also at risk because they often put things that they share, such as toys, in their mouth. Examples of close contact include sharing of beverages, food or cigarettes, kissing and participation in direct contact sports, sharing confined space such as a car for more than an hour, or direct exposure to a sneeze or cough.
