Health Center warns dorm residents of life-threatening meningococcal disease

What is meningococcal disease? Meningitis.

Meningitis can be viral or bacterial. The viral infection is usually less severe and usually not life threatening, but the bacterial meningitis is very serious. It can cause severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord. It can also lead to an infection in the blood called sepsis. Bacterial meningitis is uncommon, but the risk for this disease is higher among young people living in residence halls. The reason for this is unknown, but living in crowded environments can promote the spread of the disease.

Signs and symptoms of meningitis:
Meningitis can easily be mistaken for the flu. Recognizing the signs of meningitis is important because it can worsen quickly without treatment. While most of the symptoms, such as fever, headache and fatigue, are identical to flu symptoms, there are other unique symptoms. If you develop symptoms such as stiff neck, or sensitivity to light or a rash along with flu like symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.

What you can do to prevent meningitis:
1. A vaccine is available that can protect you from bacterial meningitis. The American College Health Association recommends that all college students, especially first year students living in residence halls receive the vaccine. It is a very safe vaccine and has minimal side effects. The vaccine is available at Student Health Services. It is effective in seven to 10 days and lasts about five years. It has been shown to reduce risk by up to 85 percent.

2. Avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, drinking glasses, cigarettes or eating utensils.

3. Take care of yourself by washing your hands often with soap and water, eating a variety of healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water.

4. Avoid alcohol and smoking which can both lower your immune system and put you at a higher risk for numerous infections.

For more information on meningitis, how to obtain the vaccination, or any other health concerns, contact GC&SU Student Health at 445-5288 or e-mail stephanie.welch@gc&su.edu or angelia.mason@gc&su.edu.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 10 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry