Meningitis
Meningitis is a rare, but potentially fatal bacterial infection that may affect the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column. Additionally, meningitis can result in severe and permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation, and death.
Symptoms of meningitis often resemble those of the flu and can include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Confusion
How is meningitis spread?
- Meningococcal meningitis may be spread through the air via respiratory secretions such as coughing and sneezing. Additionally, meningitis can be spread through close contact with an infected individual such as kissing, sharing items such as utensils, cigarettes, and drinking glasses, etc...
Who is at risk of contracting meningitis?
- Certain college students, particularly students who live in residence halls, have an increased risk for contracting meningococcal meningitis. All undergraduate students should consider vaccination to reduce their risk for the disease.
Can meningococcal meningitis be prevented?
Yes. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect individuals against four of the five most common strains of the disease.
- The vaccine is effective for approximately three to five years.
- Adverse reactions to the meningitis vaccine are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of fever and/or redness and pain at the site of injection.
- As with any vaccine, vaccination against meningitis is not 100 percent effective for all susceptible individuals.
- The meningitis vaccine does not protect individuals against viral meningitis.
Students who have questions or concerns regarding their personal health may e-mail the Health and Wellness Center Nurse, call (814) 641-3410, or visit the Center during its hours of operation.
To learn more about meningitis and its vaccine, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and/or the American College Health Association web sites.