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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
A little freaked out...
A co-worker of my husband died yesterday of bacterial meningitis. We just got off the phone with Public Health. He was only 23.
Even though we weren't directly exposed, they are saying that the vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 19.
So I called the health center at my college and they can give it to me for $104, which is just not in the budget ever. I'm not at a point in my life that I have emergency funds like that. I wish I was able to just budget a few hundred dollars in for vaccines between rent and bills, but I can't.
And my husband is super upset and physically ill over the death of his friend. Death is so hard. 
Re: A little freaked out...
I'm so sorry Patty. That's so young to pass away.
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I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I can't imagine.
If they are recommending you get shots, there is a reason. Dying over $100 isn't worth it. Can you talk to the health center and let them know of your situation? Can they put you on a payment plan? Is there another clinic you can go to that might be less? Is there someone you can borrow money from?
She's right. Try calling your county's health department.
I did talk to Public Health and they said they can give it to us for about $100. I've called around a lot and can't get anything cheaper.
They are recommending it because everyone over the age of 19 should have it. We were not directly exposed. If we had been exposed, they would have us on antibiotics already.
The part that freaks me out is that he was just fine, contracted it, and then died within 24 hours. Even though we didn't get exposed from him, how did he contract it?? Can't any of us contract it then, if he got it so unknowingly?
I'm going to find the money for it next month. It's just all been very surreal.
I know it's scary. With viral encephalitis, the causes were things like contaminated (usually standing) water or birds or insects, usually caused by bites. They couldn't connect Drew to anything of that nature (he didn't have bites, hadn't gone swimming, his drinking water must have been fine or his roommates would have gotten sick, too). They still don't know why he got sick. I'm thinking your friend must have had this form and possibly a weakened immune system. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meningitis/DS00118/DSECTION=causes
Listeria monocytogenes (listeria). These bacteria can be found almost anywhere ? in soil, in dust and in foods that have become contaminated. Contaminated foods have included soft cheeses, hot dogs and luncheon meats. Many wild and domestic animals also carry the bacteria. Fortunately, most healthy people exposed to listeria don't become ill, although pregnant women, newborns and older adults tend to be more susceptible. Listeria can cross the placental barrier, and infections in late pregnancy may cause a baby to be stillborn or die shortly after birth. People with weakened immune systems, due to disease or medication effect, are most vulnerable.
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Aww P, I am sorry you guys are having this problem and sad for you guys suffering through the loss and the situation.
I have a recommendation for you. Try contacting your local Lions Club. See if they can give you a donation to pay or assist in paying for the vaccines. This is not necessarily their expertise, but if your club is in a good financial standing, they may be able to give you something. It doesn't hurt to ask. If you need help finding a club, let me know and I can look up some info for you.