Cases of Fungal Steroid Increases Meningitis Outbreak YOUR NATIONAL NEWS October 2012 9th Day
A fungal steroid has caused many patients who received injections due to back pain treatments have involved over 7 states. The CDC has reported that at least 9 related deaths have been caused by the tainted steroid. Although the meningitis is not is not spread as contagious the discovery is that thousands may have been injected. A recall of 17,000 single-doses of the steroid vials has been recalled. The first case of the outbreak was in Tennessee. Although it’s not clear if all vials were infected with the fungal, health officials are not taking changes that any tainted steroid will still be available. The Center for Disease Control is requesting that all cases of anyone receiving an injection be reported in order to apply an appropriate antifungal therapy order which could save lives. At least 47 cases were reported as of October 5, 2012, but since then the number of cases has grown into the hundreds. As a precaution clinics and doctors have been urged to discontinue any uses of steroids until further notice. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include severe headache, nausea, dizziness and fever.
“I recall my father made a rhyme that said: “Whooping cough will take your breath, A common cold will make you sneeze, but Meningitis will make you weak all in your knees.”
