What to know about bacterial meningitis following East Texas student death

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Infectious disease specialist Dr. Edward Dominguez says there are multiple types of bacterial meningitis.

Ryker Bailey, a Huntington ISD student, died after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

“Typically, these bacteria, they make their way into the spinal system and into our central nervous system by way of the respiratory tract. We inhale them,” Dr. Ed said.

Specifically, Bailey had streptococcus pneumoniae.

“I treat two or three cases a year mostly in adults over here at my hospital, and that’s in people who have very altered immune systems,” he said. “It’s also a common cause in younger people, particularly children, who may have weaker immune systems.”

Dr. Ed mentioned meningococcal meningitis is contagious.

“We get very nervous about people who have been around other folks with that kind of meningitis to the point that we often may actually give them antibiotics before they show any signs of illness.”

About 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bacterial meningitis each year, according to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Ed says symptoms of meningitis include a stiff neck, headaches, fever, and photophobia.

“People with meningitis from bacteria frequently have to have the rooms dark because the light really hurts their head.”

Dr. Ed adds a diagnosis often involves a spinal tap, where a needle is placed in the spinal fluid.

“It’s very important to recognize that these are vaccine-preventable infections,” he added.

Dr. Ed says viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial type, which can be caused by viruses such as chicken pox.