While caution is warranted, Dr. Mark Guidry, the state Health Department's regional director in Houston, stressed that children do not face an increased risk in a typical classroom setting. He recommended no restrictions on school attendance, travel or public gatherings. Mike Holland reported about a 5 percent increase Wednesday in absenteeism. Health officials recommend that anyone experiencing early symptoms of meningitis, which can mimic the flu, be checked by a doctor immediately. Symptoms include sudden fever, intense headache, stiff neck and nausea.
Many patients also develop a purplish-red rash.
The illness is spread by direct contact from sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing eating or drinking utensils, McBride said. Frequent handwashing and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can reduce the risk of exposure, he said. However, she believes the best safeguard is to require the vaccine for children. She has been lobbying at the national and state level to get this accomplished. The CDC does not yet recommend mass immunization against meningitis, arguing that the vaccine lasts only three years and would have to be repeated.