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FOR IMMEDIATE
September, 12, 2016

Teens are Victimized by Preventable 24-Hour Deadly Disease

Utah Department of Health suggests three ways to lower teens risk of meningitis
Salt Lake City--Ryan Milley, an 18-year-old teen was graduating from high school. He had
hopes of going to college and going surfing that summer. What he and his parents didnt know
was that without a meningitis vaccine, his life could be in danger within 24 hours.
Two months after high school graduation, Milley developed a fever and an ear-ache. After 12
hours he was light headed and rising in temperature. Milleys mother, Frankie Milley, took him
straight to the ER and ran into the hospital yelling, He has meningitis! All the doctors and
nurses could do little as the meningitis disease could take his life in 24 hours or less.
Meningitis is a fatal disease that is prone to teens. About two thirds of Utah moms are unaware
about meningitis vaccines and 80 percent of all cases are bacterial, which are life threatening
within 24 hours. The Utah Department of Health recommend every child to receive a meningitis
vaccine at age 11 or 12, followed by a second vaccine-booster at age 16.
To avoid tragedies and to keep teens safe, the Utah Department of Health suggests three ways to
prevent meningitis for families:
1. Be Vaccinated
The most effective way to prevent meningitis is to simply be vaccinated. Currently, the U.S
offers two vaccines that protect against most types of meningitis. Contracting meningitis
increases between the ages of 16 and 21 when living in close quarters with others, such as in
college dorms. Vaccinations prevent the disease and greatly reduce chances for teens to be
infected.
2. Don't Share Personal Items
Meningitis can be spread when coming in contact with saliva or nasal mucus. If a teen is
infected, they can pass it along through kissing, sharing personal items or through not washing
their hands. Meningitis can be prevented by not sharing items such as drinking glasses, water
bottles, straws, silverware, toothbrushes and by hand washing frequently.

3. Keep Good Hygiene

The bacteria found in the nose and throat can spread through coughing and sneezing. Meningitis
is spread through direct contact with infected people. Doctors suggest to keep at least 3 feet away
to stay out of the line of fire of any coughing and to wash hands frequently to avoid germs.
By following these simple suggestions of not sharing personal items and keeping good hygiene,
teens are at a lower chance from being infected by meningitis. However, the ultimate protection
from meningitis for all teens is to be immunized. Just one meningitis vaccine can go a long way
to save a life.
A vaccine-preventable disease took away my right to ever be called mom again, says Frankie
Milley. My right to ever be a parent at a wedding, to ever hold a grandchild to see my child
graduate from collegeit could have all been prevented with a simple vaccine.