A high school student from Pennsylvania has reportedly died from bacterial meningitis a few months before graduation, sparking concern among locals.
The victim was identified as 18-year-old Ryan Duffy, a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne. Reports revealed that the teenage boy contracted Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis last week.
Teenage Student Dies From Bacterial Meningitis
He was then transported to a hospital and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) before losing his life on Tuesday. The announcement was made in a letter sent to parents by the Neshaminy School District.
The teenage student's obituary detailed his love for his school and family. It read that he was an amazing young man who would be missed by everyone who knows him. He was said to have been excited to go on the Senior Cruise, attend Prom, participate in his fourth gym night, and graduate.
It added that Ryan loved every type of game, including electronic and board games, and organized and played them with his family and friends. The case comes as the Neshaminy School District is using enhanced cleaning protocols at Neshaminy High School, according to ABC News.
However, officials argued that the teenage high school student's form of meningitis was not typically contagious. The letter noted that this type of meningitis does not typically spread through casual contact between individuals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that while this type of meningitis is spread through droplets released when coughing, sneezing, or talking, it is not highly contagious.
The Severity of the Illness
Bacterial meningitis is characterized by the inflammation of the protective lining of a person's brain and spinal cord, caused by a bacterial infection. The CDC said that the best way to prevent getting infected with Streptococcus Pneumoniae is to get vaccinated, the Independent reported.
A parent from nearby Bensalem said that these old diseases have already been around for years, and they are still affecting people. They found it hard to believe, noting that it just "doesn't make sense."
The teenage student's peers were also shocked by the sudden death of their friend. Senior Vee Pyanova said, "Not only was I surprised, I was really scared." They questioned how they were any different than the student who went to high school with them.
A family medicine physician, Dr. Delana Wardlow, said that some of the common symptoms of the illness that struck Ryan are high fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, excessive nausea, and vomiting, as per 6ABC.
