UI student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis
A University of Idaho student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, a potentially life-threatening infection, Wednesday and administrators are taking preventive measures to protect the rest of the university community.
UI Dean of Students Bruce Pitman said the student, who is not being identified, experienced symptoms early in the week and was officially diagnosed with the bacterial infection early Wednesday.
He said the student lives on campus and individuals in the same residence facility as the infected student are receiving extra preventative care.
“We went to that residence (Wednesday) night and met with students,” Pitman said. “We gave them information about meningitis and we have made arrangements for a medical team to come to that living group at lunch (Thursday) and give the students in this living group appropriate antibiotics.”
Pitman said although bacterial meningitis is contagious, there is a slim chance other students contracted it from the infected student.
“The likelihood of somebody else being infected is very, very small,” he said. “The transmission of this bacteria is spread by the sharing of fluid from nose, mouth or throat, so you have to be in very close contact with the person who’s infected.”
The Center for Disease Control website identifies meningitis as an inflammatory infection around the brain and spinal cord, and stated college students are at a significantly higher risk of contracting it because of crowded, communal living situations.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include severe headache, stiff neck, high fever, vomiting, chills, nausea, muscle or joint pain and a red rash. Pitman encourages students with any meningitis symptoms to immediately seek medical care and have their health evaluated.
According to the Vandal Health Education website, bacterial meningitis may cause severe brain damage and death, and requires immediate medical attention.
“It develops very rapidly and can be fatal to a previously healthy person in a matter of hours,” according to the website.
Vandal Health Education commonly offers meningitis vaccinations and most recently offered three clinics at the beginning of the school year on Aug. 22 for new students, and Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 for all students.
Pitman said students should take precaution similarly to how one would prevent contracting the common flu.
“Wash you hands, cover your cough, get plenty of sleep, if you’re not feeling well go and get medical attention and don’t let health issues linger,” he said. “If you are not feeling well and feel that you are likely a carrier of germs, self isolate for a while so you don’t infect friends.”
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]