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3 possible cases of meningitis visit TMH

Meningitis cases have not been confirmed via testing yet

Noelle Leavitt Riley
The Memorial Hospital in Craig
Lauren Blair

Meningitis symptoms:

According to the Mayo Clinic website, meningitis symptoms include:

• Sudden high fever

• Severe headache that isn't easily confused with other types of headache

• Stiff neck

• Vomiting or nausea with headache

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating

• Seizures

• Sleepiness or difficulty waking up

• Sensitivity to light

• Lack of interest in drinking and eating

• Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis

Three potential cases of meningitis visited The Memorial Hospital during the weekend, and two of the three were transported to Children’s Hospital in Denver, according to TMH officials.

“Three people we have seen have symptoms similar to that of meningitis,” said Jennifer Riley, chief of marketing and business development at TMH.

Meningitis symptoms:

According to the Mayo Clinic website, meningitis symptoms include:



• Sudden high fever

• Severe headache that isn’t easily confused with other types of headache



• Stiff neck

• Vomiting or nausea with headache

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating

• Seizures

• Sleepiness or difficulty waking up

• Sensitivity to light

• Lack of interest in drinking and eating

• Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis

A nine-month-old, 14-year-old and 15-year-old were seen at TMH between Saturday night and Sunday, she said.

Two of the children are teenagers at Moffat County High School, however Riley said there is no reason at this point that parents should worry about sending their children to school.

“At this point, there’s not reason for people to get overly alarmed,” she said.

Karlee Brown is one of the students who is at Children’s Hospital. When asked via Facebook how she was doing, she said, “I’m doing OK. Super tired, just made it to Denver.”

Riley said it takes roughly 48 hours for meningitis tests to show accurate results, therefore they might not know if the children tested positive or negative for the potential viral infection.

In the mean time, Riley suggests that people take precautions against spreading germs by not sharing utensils or anything that can spread organisms.

Tyler Gonzalez is another potential victim of the illness, and his sister Abi Gonzalez said that he’s currently at Children’s Hospital with his parents.

“They’re not sure what type of meningitis he has. That’s pretty much all I’ve heard,” she said.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, “Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The swelling associated with meningitis often triggers the ‘hallmark’ signs and symptoms of this condition, including headache, fever and a stiff neck.”

If you or anyone you know experiences such signs, report to the hospital immediately.

Riley said that TMH treats patients with these signs right way, regardless of whether they’ve tested positive for the virus.

The Craig Daily Press will update the public once more information becomes available.


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