More Risk for Teen Smokers

Bacterial meningitis, linked to tobacco smoke, is on the rise in young adults

Bacterial meningitis is on the rise in young adults, and the increase closely parallels a similar increase in the rate of teen smoking, says this article from Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid around the brain and in the spinal cord. The disease can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. But bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and can cause permanent brain damage, even death.

Smoking is probably not the only factor at work, but it could be the most significant. Another cause of the rise could be a new strain of meningitis that has developed.

"Smoking was responsible for at least part of these cases," says Dr. Lee Harrison from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health. Smokers accounted for almost half of the cases studied by Harrison and his colleagues.

At a time when smoking rates should be on the decline, this article from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel details the recent increase in teen smoking.

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