MI - Kristy Malter, 21, dies, Oakland Co. warns of meningitis threat at gym, Jul 2016

[BetteDavisEyes]

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, but can be a result of injury, cancer, or certain drugs.

It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause...

http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Camp counselor with bacterial meningitis dies

Candice Williams and Holly Fournier, The Detroit News 11:02 a.m. EDT July 16, 2016

Health officials confirmed the death of a Macomb County resident from meningococcal meningitis in an email released Saturday morning.

“The family has asked that their privacy be respected during this very difficult time of grief and mourning,” according to a press release from the Macomb County Health Department. “General questions about meningococcal meningitis can be directed to the Macomb County Health Department. However, the department will not address any questions specific to this resident.” ...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...counselor-bacterial-meningitis-dies/87178160/

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Kristy Lynn Malter

February 12, 1995 - July 14, 2016

http://www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com/obituaries/Kristy-Malter/#!/Obituary

 

[animlzrule]

^ KM contracted bacterial meningitis. I've read and heard reported in recent days that current vaccine protects against viral meningitis. I hope the Oakland County Health Department can find the source of KM's infection.

There are vaccines for bacterial meningitis. I believe there are 3 main types of bacterial meningitis. There are some vaccines for viral, but viral is typically less severe, and people with normal immune systems can usually come through a bout with no lasting effects. Bacterial meningitis is the one most likely to be swiftly deadly, and is the one for which the vaccines are primarily recommended. People don't often survive bacterial meningitis. A wife of a physician in my town was at her gym in the morning, and was dead before the day was done.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Shelby Township woman Malter's meningitis death is confirmed

By Macomb Daily Staff

Posted: 07/16/16, 10:24 AM EDT | Updated: 42 secs ago

A Shelby Township woman who was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis earlier this week has died, Macomb County Health Department officials confirmed Saturday morning.

In a news release issued at 9:55 a.m. the department confirmed the death of Kristy Malter, 21, a student at Central Michigan University and graduate of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep High School.

“The family has asked that their privacy be respected during this very difficult time of grief and mourning,” Dr. Kevin Lokar, medical director for the Macomb County Health Department, said in the release...

http://www.macombdaily.com/general-...p-woman-malters-meningitis-death-is-confirmed

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

There are vaccines for bacterial meningitis. I believe there are 3 main types of bacterial meningitis. There are some vaccines for viral, but viral is typically less severe, and people with normal immune systems can usually come through a bout with no lasting effects. Bacterial meningitis is the one most likely to be swiftly deadly, and is the one for which the vaccines are primarily recommended. People don't often survive bacterial meningitis. A wife of a physician in my town was at her gym in the morning, and was dead before the day was done.

Do you know when the vaccination(s) for meningitis became available? DD had all of her shots while growing up but meningitis was not included (she's in her 40s now). Would all pediatricians recommend the vaccination? I read that some are not given until age 11-12 and that a booster is recommended at age 16. I wonder if KM received any of the meningitis vaccines?

Since media reports suggest that the period of exposure was July 1-11, maybe KM didn't come home from college (CMU) until then. She could have been exposed to meningitis while still in Mt. Pleasant.

 

[animlzrule]

Do you know when the vaccination(s) for meningitis became available? DD had all of her shots while growing up but meningitis was not included (she's in her 40s now). Would all pediatricians recommend the vaccination? I read that some are not given until age 11-12 and that a booster is recommended at age 16. I wonder if KM received any of the meningitis vaccines?

Since media reports suggest that the period of exposure was July 1-11, maybe KM didn't come home from college (CMU) until then. She could have been exposed to meningitis while still in Mt. Pleasant.

Not sure when they came out, but it seems it's been quite some time, certainly in time for her to have had it. And she may have; as we all know, vaccines are not 100% effective. They start vaccinating at 11, with a boosters usually around 16ish, or at least before they go to college. (It can spread like wildfire through dorms, which is why it's such a public health emergency when diagnosed). As far as I know, with my clinic, the vaccine is strenuously suggested.
Edited: Looks like the first one was in 2005. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=388352

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Kristy Malter's funeral Mass was at 10:00 this morning. I had a class at the gym at the time and thought of Kristy's family frequently during my workout. One of the trainers at the gym is the girls' soccer coach at the high school that Kristy attended (Notre Dame Prep). I asked him if he had known KM but he said that he only knew girls who played soccer. A gym member who was there during my class told the trainer that he had dropped off a salad at the church for the luncheon that followed Kristy's funeral Mass. I looked for him when my session ended but he had left the gym. Rest in peace, Kristy. :rose: Prayers for the Malter family and all who loved Kristy. :rose: