No doubt you've heard about
the
CI
being linked to Meningitis and have some
concerns. Just how worried should you be? I hope this page will be
helpful in answering your this question.
- After many discussions with a number of
sources, here is some of what I've learned.
First of all, this topic shouldn't result in
everyone panicking. You have a greater risk of contracting West
Nile Virus than you do of getting meningitis from the implant.
Having said that, there is reason for a bit of
concern.
Statistics show a slightly greater
risk of meningitis
cases in implant patients. The statistics I
was quoted were:
-
1 in 10,000 up to 15,000
(unimplanted)
1 in 9,000 up to 13,000 (implanted)
Cases have been reported from the manufacturers of all 3 devices
currently approved here in the US.
In short, the recommendations are:
-
Kids < 2 yrs should be given Prevnar.
-
Kids >2 yrs and Adults should be given either
Pneumovax or
Pnu-immune (a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine) if more than 5 years
has passed since the most recent dose of the 23-valent vaccine.
Please note that even if the vaccine is given, it is still
possible to contract meningitis because the vaccine does
not protect against all strains of Meningitis. For further info on
Meningitis, please visit:
Everyone I've talked to gives the same advice: Don't panic,
talk to your doctor, be aware, relax and enjoy life.
|
