A parent’s warning about meningococcal meningitis

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – For many teens, summertime can be packed with vacations, part-time jobs, and new adventures. But it’s also a time to talk with your kids about the dangers of meningococcal meningitis.

It can often begin like a seemingly typical headache, but for 17-year-old Chris Maier, a gifted athlete and high-school senior, his symptoms progressed so quickly, he died after being rushed to the hospital and before he could ever see a doctor.

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KOIN Morning Digest

After losing her son to the disease, Chris’ mother Leslie Maier is turning her grief into advocacy, talking about teen risks, warning signs, and the importance of vaccination before the new school year begins…

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