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Meningitis is a viral infection that, if untreated, can lead to death or
serious disability. About 11% of the American population carries these bacteria
within their bodies. Every year meningitis directly effects up to three thousand
Americans, claiming the lives of up to three hundred. One in five people
diagnosed with the virus survive, usually with extreme disabilities including
seizures, limb amputation, and hearing loss. Meningitis is passed through direct
contact with an infected individual or through contact with airborne particles
propelled by coughs and sneezes. About 80% of yearly infections occur on college
campuses where promiscuous sex, close quarters and shared beer cups are a
greater presence than elsewhere in the nation. Going to college increases the
likelihood of infection by up to 600%. For these reasons it is strongly
recommended that entering college students receive the meningococcal vaccine
(almost 100% effective prevention) to protect themselves against this horrible
disease.
This intrepid journalist, a rising freshmen in college, had the wonderful
opportunity to experience this vaccination first hand, a very unpleasant
experience. I received the vaccination around twelve o'clock on Friday, no more
painful than the usual needle prick. I was fine throughout the following
evening, no noticeable discomfort. The next morning however, the tides had
turned. I was awakened from a deep sleep by a general soreness throughout my
entire body. I felt as if angry pediatricians wielding iron reflex hammers had
tenderized my every muscle. Upon rising I found that I was so weak that I could
hardly stand. My muscles twitched and ached. Chills ran up and down my spine. I
poured with sweat. I trembled and shakily made my way to the bath, then
hurriedly returned to bed to toss and turn for several more hours in a drowsy
haze. Then the headache and fever set in. I couldn't focus on anything without
provoking an incessant pounding in my temples. My forehead burned. My vision
blurred. My back ached. My body shivered. I had been struck by an overall
discomfort. At first I thought that I had come down with the flu, but then I
felt the seething agony in my right shoulder and I remembered the vaccination. I
looked on the Internet to see if my experience was in keeping with the usual
side effects of the treatment. They were, and I had been blessed with the
absence of the usual nausea.
The condition continued throughout the day, improving slightly in the
afternoon and then worsening again as darkness fell. I went to bed in a shaky
delirium. The next morning the symptoms has lessoned but my right arm hurt worse
then ever. I had developed a terribly swollen rash around where the needle had
gone in. I couldn't lift my arm higher than my shoulder without considerable
pain. As the other symptoms subsided, the swelling and pain in my shoulder
continued for several days.
This unfortunately necessary vaccine completely incapacitated me for almost
forty-eight hours. Although I would highly recommend receiving this vaccination
due to the gravity of the disease that it prevents, I would also recommend
clearing your schedule for the next few days after the shot because it is very
possible that you will be rendered non-functional for a significant window of
time. I spoke to my physician and he said that not everyone is affected as
aversely as I was, but that there is a good possibility that most patients will
experience some unpleasantness. So heed my warning. If you get this vaccination
be prepared to be uncomfortable. Drink lots of liquid and preferably have
someone to take care of you. It won't kill you. It will make you stronger. But,
it will not be fun.
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