Volume 44, Issue 9. Today is
College students most at risk for meningitis
College students may be at increased risk for meningococcal disease, a potentially fatal bacterial infection commonly referred to as meningitis.
According to the Journal of American Medical Association, college students who live on campus are three times more likely than those who live off campus to contract a specific type of bacterial meningitis.
When it strikes, this potentially fatal bacterial disease can lead to swelling of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column as well as severe and permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation and even death. Most patients who contract meningitis usually die from gangrene.
Many students live in crowded conditions in dorms, giving bacteria a chance to spread and grow through respiratory secretions, also known as “droplets”.
Dr. Lakshmi Menon, a family practitioner in Paradise Valley, said that most colleges require students to get meningitis vaccines before they are allowed to live in the dorms.
“Meningitis is spread through the air through respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person. Coughing, sneezing, sneezing, kissing and even sharing forks and spoons can spread the virus. Even sharing cigarettes and drinking can cause the disease to spread,” Dr. Menon said.
Dr. Menon offers mobile site clinics in the Valley that offers vaccine shots in the summer.
“It’s important to have a clean bill of health before you start living in the dorms. Taking precautions is very important and should not be taken lightly. These are required because college students are at high risk for living in unsanitary environments,” Dr. Menon said.
Eric Miller made sure that all of his health and vaccine requirements were met before moving into the dorms at UC Irvine. “
I wasn’t really sure what meningitis was until I went to my doctor for the shot. When she explained it to me, it definitely made me more conscious of how to take better care of myself,” Miller said. “I’m not very tidy, but I still try to live as clean as possible.”Miller’s mother, Lynne Von Arx, is a registered nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Tempe.
“I haven’t seen any cases here in Arizona with meningitis, but you can never be too careful. I know Eric drinks and I’m sure he’ll be around other people who drink as well. Drinking is one of the most popular ways meningitis is spread because it’s also passed through droplets, and he needs to be careful,” Von Arx said. “I made sure that he got his vaccines before he moved to college. You can never be too careful.”
Symptoms of meningitis often resemble the flu and can include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and confusion.
Symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one to two days. Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious.
Anyone who has been in direct contact with a patient’s oral secretions would be considered at increased risk of getting the disease.
Meningitis is usually diagnosed with a spinal tap, a procedure where a sample of spinal fluid is extracted with a needle.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics if it’s caught early. Health experts suggest that the best way to prevent contracting meningitis by getting the vaccine and to practice clean and healthy living.Contacts:
Dr. Lakshmi Menon
Eric Miller
Lynne Von ArxSources:
Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA)