Health officials say four people have died from the infection in the past month. Fear of meningitis has people near Houston lining up for vaccinations. Emergency room doctor Kathleen Delaney says sporadic cases of meningitis pop up every year. The disease, which inflames the lining of the brain and spine, is usually not fatal. While not considered to be highly contagious, meningitis can be spread through intimate contact.
Symptoms start out like the flu, but quickly get worse.
While children aren t necessarily more susceptible to the disease, they seem to pass it on more easily. Adults usually aren't usually coughing and sneezing all over each other, said Delany. And they cover their mouths when they cough. And children tend to share germs more readily. So far, they re saying no to state-funded shots.