Medications Used in Epidurals Tied to Meningitis Outbreak

Updated: CDC has updated information that confirms that this is not associated with labor epidurals.

If you've had an epidural recently you may be at risk for meningitis according to the CDC, but NOT labor epidurals.

"The outbreak is linked to contaminated steroid injections, and as many as 13,000 people may have received the medicine between May 21 and September 24, the CDC said."

You should talk to your practitioner if you are concerned. You should be able to get a record from the hospital where the medications were made.  You should also familiarize yourself with the signs of meningitis:

• high fever
• headache
• stiff neck
• nausea/vomiting
• confusion
• sleepiness

The medication were all made at a facility known as the New England Compounding Center (NECC). They have voluntarily recalled the medications starting last week after multiple deaths were reported. They are based in Massachusetts. Though 23 states are included: Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.

Again, this does not include epidurals used in labor and birth.

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Related:

• Epidural or Nothing?
• Choosing an Epidural
• 7 Reasons You Can't Have an Epidural

_Source:

_{Frequently Asked Questions For Patients: Multistate Meningitis Outbreak Investigation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 10/10/12: http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/patients/faq-meningitis-outbreak-patients.html}

_{Photo © A.D.A.M.}