Off to College - How Best to Protect Your Teen

In the next two months, thousands of teenagers will be heading off to college for the first time. For many, this will be their first experience in a crowded dormitory. I vividly remember hauling my stuff up to my room and meeting my roommate for the first time. I remember my first trip down the college cafeteria line, and of course, those crowded classrooms.

Long before you pack that big suitcase with plenty of underwear, parents need to be sure their teens are well protected. No, I am not talking about packing a box of condoms, although that is not a bad idea. I am talking about boosting some critical immunizations, namely the meningococcal vaccine, the new combination tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine, and influenza. For the girls, parents should seriously consider the new HPV vaccine - the first vaccine that protects young women from developing the sexually-transmitted virus that causes most cervical cancers.

Cloistered living quarters, like freshmen dorms, are prime breeding grounds for infectious diseases. One of the most feared of all diseases is meningitis, particularly meningococcal meningitis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection of the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, a potentially fatal blood infection. This disease is spread through the sharing of saliva, usually thorough close personal contact, such as kissing, sharing drinks, or smoking. Most parents do not want to even think about their college teens swapping spit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meningococcal rates begin to rise in adolescence and peak between the ages of 15 and 24, with death rates FIVE TIMES higher in this age group compared to younger kids. In fact, 1 in 5 people who contract this terrible disease will rapidly die. Of those who survive, many will suffer permanent brain damage, scarring, hearing loss, or loss of one or more limbs. This is a terrible disease. Sadly, up to 83% of the reported cases would be preventable...by a simple and safe vaccine. No matter how much your teens piss and moan about getting "shots", this is one they should not leave home without.

Tetanus is rare in the U.S., but if you do get it, it is just about 100% fatal. Since a vaccine is 100% protective for up to ten years, only a fool would take the chance. Many college campuses experienced outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis) last year, so the new recommendation is to re-immunize against this once-common childhood malady again. Since many college students study abroad, they should also be covered for diphtheria (rare in the U.S. now thanks to immunizations). One vaccine called Adacel is the one to get to cover all three diseases.

The fall and winter months are the influenza months. As soon as the 2007 vaccine becomes available, please see that your teen is immunized. Most college campuses will have flu shot clinics, but if not, make sure to arrange for them to be vaccinated when they come home for the holidays. In the crowded quarters of dorms, influenza will spread like a bad rumor.

Lastly, I would like to throw in the pitch for Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. This three-shot series of vaccines will help protect young women from contracting the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - the main cause of cervical cancer later in life. HPV is contracted through unprotected intercourse (See, I knew those condoms would come in handy). This is the first of many anti-cancer vaccines to hit the market. Everything that I have read about this vaccine has been good. So, unless your daughter is a Bible-thumping, chastity-belt wearing, militant virgin from Texas, this vaccine will afford some great protection. Maybe not as good as sexual abstinence, but good protection nonetheless.

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: College Kids and Meningitis
• Prevent Meningitis: Tips to Protect Your Teen

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