It was confirmed on Thursday that a 16-year-old pupil of Randburg High School is suffering from meningococcal meningitis.
A spokesperson for Wilgeheuwel hospital, Marietjie Shelly, said Dominique du Plessis is in a stable condition in the intensive-care unit.
”There has been improvement since yesterday,” said Shelly.
”We are extremely positive that she will recover fully,” said her father, Eugene du Plessis, from his daughter’s bedside.
He said she is sitting up, talking and plaiting her hair.
It is not known how Dominique contracted the virus, which is similar to influenza in that it does not have to originate from person-to-person contact but can be present in the air.
Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, intense headaches, nausea and often vomiting, a stiff neck and, frequently, a fine pinkish rash that sometimes forms little blisters. Delirium and coma often develop.
Meningococcal infections may occur anywhere and at any time, but tend to be seasonal, peaking from the late winter to early spring.
The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, averaging three to four days, medical specialists say.
The period of communicability lasts until the bacteria are no longer present in discharges form the nose and mouth.
Meningococci usually disappear from the throat and nose within 24 hours after the start of treatment with antibiotics to which the organisms are sensitive. — Sapa