Sufferers of chronic pain often turn to steroid shots to ease their discomfort. Normally, this type of treatment is relatively safe and effective. Unfortunately, that changed recently for at least 26 people, including three in Virginia, who were infected with a rare type of meningitis after receiving steroid shots. It appears that all of the victims who have been infected were given steroids that had been produced by one Massachusetts manufacturer who issued a recall of the drug and has since closed.
Already four of the victims have died, including a Virginia resident, and the Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner fears there may be more as previous infections are reported or new victims become ill after the 2 to 28 day incubation period of the infection. Fortunately, this type of meningitis is not contagious like the viral and bacterial types, but it is obviously still dangerous and potentially deadly.
People who received steroid treatments in the last three months in Tennessee are being contacted and made aware of the situation. It is unclear if the same is being done in Virginia. If you are a Virginia resident who has received this type of treatment recently, please contact your doctor or the facility where the steroid treatment was given to determine whether or not you may be at risk.
About the Editors: The Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
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