Did you know that according to the National Meningitis Association (NMA), approximately 600—1,000 people contract meningococcal disease in the U.S. each year?
According to Mayo Clinic, meningitis is the inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes caused by an infection. The infection can be caused by a virus or bacteria.
Viral meningitis is less severe than bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis also tends to go away on its own.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease is spread by the of exchange of respiratory and throat secretions from coughing, kissing or the sharing of eating utensils.
Common syptoms of the disease include high fever, headache and stiff neck. Other symptoms are nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness.
There can also be more severe symptoms that cause long term damage, such as limb loss, mental impairment and hearing loss. The most severe cases can lead to death.
According to the CDC, even with early treatment, the disease is fatal in nine to 12 percent of cases.
Some risk factors of the disease include age, community settings, certain medical conditions, working with meningitis-causing pathogens and traveling.
Most people who come into contact with the bacteria do not get sick. However, if illness does occur, the onset can be very rapid and cause severe symptoms.
Antibiotics are used to treat the disease, although vaccines are used as preventative measures. There are three different types of vaccines: meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccines and Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines.
In fact, it is a Pennsylvania requirement that college students be vaccinated before the start of the school year.
As stated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania College and University Student Vaccination Act of 2002, all students who are residing in college- or university-owned housing have to have at least one dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
Besides the fact that it is required, the vaccine is important for student’s health.
College campuses are a place that infections can spread quickly. Students are often in close contact with one another either in their dorms, classrooms or social events.
Also, students living in apartments share utensils and cups with one another. If the utensils are not cleaned properly, the bacteria can spread to other students living in the apartment.
The fact that many college students are in relationships is also a risk factor, since kissing is one way to spread the disease.
If the disease spreads throughout campus, it affects more than just the one individual. The spreading of the disease could lead to low levels of class attendance.
It can also affect participation in extracurricular actives such as sports and clubs. Therefore, Elizabethtown College is a place that is at risk.
However, Etown’s risk has not been a serious issue in recent years.
“We have not had any cases of meningitis at the College since I have been here, which is 11 years,” health liaison Eileen Wagener said.
One way Etown is staying healthy is by making sure students are fulfilling the Pennsylvania vaccination requirement.
According to Wagener, keeping updated on immunization records for all new students is a high priority.
“The vaccination is available for students at the Penn State Health Medical group/Student Health office,” Wagener said.
Despite the fact that there have not been recent reports, students should still be aware of this issue.
“Students should be aware that meningitis, although not common, can be a very serious, sometimes fatal, illness,” Wagener said.
So, students should make sure to get vaccinated and maintain healthy habits. Some of these habits include regularly washing your hands, covering your mouth and not sharing drinks or utensils with others.
To find out more information about meningitis, go to CDC’s website.
