Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. According to Drugs.com, meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination as a means of protection against the disease. There are some side effects and dangers associated with the meningitis vaccine.
Injection Site Complications
Patients who receive the meningitis vaccination may experience injection site complications. Symptoms can include redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the vaccine was injected, reports Drugs.com. The use of a cold compress may help to alleviate swelling or discomfort at the affected area. Patients may ask their physician if the use of an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen would be safe to use for injection-site discomfort. Parents or caregivers of a child who has received the meningitis vaccine should use caution while holding, changing or diapering the infant, as to not place additional pressure on the site of injection. A severe site reaction or continuous bleeding at the site of injection should be brought to the attention of a physician.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Some patients may develop flu-like symptoms following injection with the meningitis vaccine. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache and fatigue. A physician may recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat headache and fever. A high fever or a fever that is not relieved by medication should be reported to a physician.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
According to the CDC, a serious nervous system disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported among some people who received the meningitis vaccine. Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome include severe muscle weakness and tingling, which may begin in the lower extremities and spread to the upper body. In some cases, a patient may develop complete paralysis, which can lead to lung paralysis and respiratory arrest. Any muscle pain, weakness and tingling following a meningitis shot should be brought to the attention of a medical doctor immediately.
Member Comments