More than 400 Americans have contracted fungal meningitis after receiving injections of a contaminated steroid manufactured by the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. At least twenty-nine have died.

The steroids were found to contain at least three types of fungus. Exserohilum rostratum is a common mold found in soil and on plants, Rhizopus stolonifer is a common bread mold, and Rhodotorula laryngis is a common yeast. The outbreak is linked to E. rostratum. When E. rostratum is injected into a body it can cause inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Early symptoms of fungal meningitis include headache, fever, irritability, sensitivity to light, vomiting, nausea, stiff neck, and fast heartbeat. Anyone suffering these symptoms should seek immediate treatment. Meningitis quickly destroys the brain, and a delay in treatment can lead to serious complications including hearing loss, altered mental state, hallucinations, speech problems, seizures, coma, brain damage, hydrocephalus, stroke, and even death.

In order to diagnose infection with fungal meningitis, doctors must test the patient’s spinal fluid using a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. Mild cases can be treated with an oral anti-fungal medication. Advanced cases must be treated in the hospital. The intravenous antifungal drugs used in the hospital can potentially cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

If you or a loved one has been sickened by the contaminated methylprednisolone acetate injections, you have a right to be angry. You were following your doctor’s advice and it isn’t fair that the negligence of a drug company almost cost your life. You deserve accountability.

The Illinois pharmaceutical injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham can help you take part in a pharmaceutical class action lawsuit against New England Compounding Center. If you contracted meningitis from contaminated steroids, you may be eligible for compensation for you medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, lost wages, and ongoing medical care. To learn more about how you can get compensation for your fungal meningitis injury case, contact Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678.