The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), in conjunction with other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), continues to investigate an association between spinal injections and the development of meningitis as part of a larger multi-state investigation. 

As this investigation continues, the Department will post updates off its home page, www.dhmh.maryland.gov  under “Meningitis Cases Associated with Injectable Steroids.”

DHMH continues to urge people who have new or worsening symptoms, including symptoms of meningitis or stroke, following an injection of methylprednisolone acetate from one of the seven Maryland facilities that received the implicated NECC lots to contact their healthcare provider to determine if further evaluation is indicated. Symptoms of meningitis can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, nausea, or vomiting. Stroke symptoms can include but are not limited to double vision, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty walking.

Berlin Interventional Pain Management, Berlin, MD

Box Hill Surgery Center, Abingdon, MD

Greenspring Surgery Center, Baltimore, MD

Harford County Ambulatory Surgery Center, Edgewood, MD

Maryland Pain Specialists, Towson, MD

SurgCenter of Bel Air, Bel Air, MD

Zion Ambulatory Center, Baltimore, MD

During extremely hot days this summer, take precautions to protect your health and safety and the health of your children, neighbors and pets.

The health department has a complete heat emergency preparedness brochure avaible here: Heat Emergency Preparedness. 

People at high risk for heat-related illness include infants, young children, people over age 65 as well as people who have a personal or family history of heat illness or symptoms, mental health diagnoses, sickle cell trait or disease, personal history of severe muscle pain with activity or heat injury, or use of supplements containing metabolic stimulants, caffeine and other medications.

• Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Symptoms are hot, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Heat stroke occurs when a person’s body temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit and could render the victim unconscious. Call for emergency medical treatment. If possible, relocate the person to an air-conditioned room while awaiting an ambulance.

• Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, clammy skin. There may be fainting and vomiting. Someone suffering from heat exhaustion should be moved to a cool area out of direct sunlight and sponge bathed in cool water and fanned. Give one cup of water to the individual every 15 minutes for one hour. Do not return to heat exposure, work or exercise that day.

• Heat cramps are characterized by painful spasms, usually in muscles of legs and abdomen and by heaving sweating. To relieve heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage the muscles. Give a cup of water every 15 minutes for one hour. Discontinue exercise and do not return to heat exposure or exercise that day.