Timely warning provides chance to get vaccine
Dear Annie: Students are heading back to school this time of year, but many of them are unaware that they may be at risk for meningitis infection.
August is Meningitis Awareness and Prevention Month. Meningitis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection causing inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms develop rapidly and are similar to the flu. Meningitis is difficult to diagnose, which is why vaccination against this disease is the best protection.
I know because I contracted meningococcal meningitis my freshman year of college, which resulted in a loss of nine of my toes, and part of the septum in my nose and palate in the roof of my mouth. I didn’t know what meningitis was or that there are preventive methods available, and I found out the hard way.
Although meningitis can affect people of any age, young children are most susceptible. That is why they should receive the vaccine to protect them against invasive pneumococcal disease, the most common cause of meningitis in infants and young children. Young adults, especially those in college, the military or other large group settings, should be immunized with the meningococcal vaccine.
To find out more about meningitis, your readers can call us at (800) 668-1129 or visit our Web site at www.musa.org. Please make your readers aware that there are preventive measures that can be taken to protect themselves and their families from this terrible disease. Sincerely — Ryan Pike, Development Director, Meningitis Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Ind.
Dear Ryan Pike: Thank you for this timely warning. Please, readers, if any of your family members are going to be spending the coming year in a group setting, talk to your doctor about appropriate vaccinations for meningitis.
Dear Annie: I have been married to “Roger” for 15 years. We have three young children, one of whom has a learning disability. I used to work 60 hours a week, but I thought my son would do better in school if I were available to help with homework, so last year, I cut back my hours to part time. I also keep house, cook all the meals, do all the laundry, etc. I’m a regular Susie Homemaker.
Roger is not happy with the major cuts we have had to make to our budget. I understand, but I don’t want to go back to work full time just so we can have extras. When we both worked, Roger cooked dinner, but that was it. Meanwhile, I put in more hours at the office than he did and still had to come home and do everything else. I can’t take the strain. I am angry that Roger wants to have his cake and eat it, too. What can I say to make him back off? — Wife and Mom in Virginia
Dear Wife: In many households, both parents must work in order to afford the basic necessities. Since that does not seem to be the case here, Roger must realize that the less he contributes around the house, the more you must do — which means you have less time to devote to work outside the home.
If the two of you cannot reach a reasonable compromise, the next step is marriage counseling. Good luck.
Dear Annie: My husband and I were married two years ago in a very thrown-together wedding, three weeks before moving overseas. As a result, we could not invite many people. We will be returning to the States next year and have told our families that we will hold a wedding reception. At that time, we will have been married for three years. Is it improper to register for gifts? — Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: It is fine to register, and those guests who did not send you a gift when you first married will no doubt wish to do so now. Congratulations.