Sickness is not usually on first thing college students want to think about when starting a new school year, but preventing infection and staying healthy should be a priority for a successful year according to officials who are administering free meningitis vaccines on the University of Idaho campus beginning Friday.
The state of Idaho does not require incoming college students to be immunized for meningitis. As a result, free vaccines are part of a statewide campaign to help college students protect themselves from contracting the potentially deadly disease.
Pam Strohfus, co-chair of the Meningitis Vaccine Campaign and assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Boise State University, said meningitis — an inflammation of the three membranes enclosing the brain and spinal cord — is especially dangerous for college students.
“Meningitis can be a devastating disease for college students because it spreads easily and acts so quickly that it is often too late,” Strohfus said.
Strohfus said that meningitis is very dangerous because it not only can lead to permanent nerve damage in just a matter of hours, but it is also not easily recognizable.
“It can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are very much like the flu initially,” Strohfus said. “Unfortunately the flu like symptoms can be life threatening within 24 hours.”
Strohfus said college students are at increased risk because of factors involving behavior and environment.
“Living in close knit communities like the residence halls, and frequenting bars and night clubs increase infection rates because the nose, mouth and throat sections can be transferred more easily in these environments,” Strohfus said. “In addition, adolescents and young adults conduct social behaviors that can help spread the disease.”
Shannon Haselhuhn, Health Education Program Coordinator at the UI said because of its rapid progression, it is important to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
“Most students received their first Meningococcal vaccine when they entered middle school, but many never received the necessary booster after the age of 16,” Haselhuhn said. “If they get their vaccine now, they should not need another one.”
Haselhuhn said the free vaccination clinics will be held in easily accessible areas all around campus so students can get in and out as quickly as possible. Students only need to bring their Vandal cards to receive the free immunizations.
For those who have not been immunized or do not plan to get a shot, you can avoid possible infection by keeping up good, clean habits.
“Passive smoking, sharing water bottles and drinks, and engaging in intimate personal contact reduces our natural barrier to bacterial invasion, which increase the risk of infection,” Strohfus said. “Washing your hands (and) eating and drinking utensils frequently help to reduce the risk.”
Free vaccination clinics will be held on four separate days during the semester, Aug. 23, Sept. 4 and Oct. 28 and 29.
The shots are provided by the Idaho Immunization Coalition to colleges across the state, including BSU, Lewis-Clark State College, Idaho State University, Northwest Nazarene University and North Idaho College.
Andrew Jenson can be reached at [email protected]