Read this note for important information about meningococcal meningitis and the vaccination.
While there have been no reported cases of meningococcal meningitis at Elon College, press coverage recently has sparked many questions about meningococcal meningitis, especially in the college population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) do recommend that colleges and universities provide information to students and their families regarding the disease and the vaccination.
What is meningococcal meningitis? What are the signs and symptoms?
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
The most common signs of meningitis include high fever, headache and a stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea ,vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness. These symptoms can occur over several hours or they may take 1 to 2 days. Of course, as with all medical conditions, early intervention is important. Students who experience any of these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
How dangerous is meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. Information posted on the CDC website indicates that appropriate antibiotic treatment of most types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of fatality to below 15%. Of those who survive, another 10% have severe residual effects including mental retardation, loss of hearing and loss of limbs.
What is the likelihood that I may contract meningococcal meningitis as a college student?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overall risk for freshmen living in residence halls is 3.8 cases per 100,000. The American College Health Association reports that between 100 to 125 college students contract this type of meningitis each year and between 5 and 10 of those cases die.
Meningococcal meningitis is contagious. The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e. through coughing and kissing). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does note that none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as the things like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
What can I do to prevent contracting Meningococcal Meningitis?
There is a vaccine available which does prevent this type of meningitis. However, some cases may be attributed to a strain of the disease for which there is no effective vaccine. Of course, practicing good health habits such as not sharing glasses, covering mouths when coughing, and thoroughly washing hands and utensils will reduce the likelihood of contracting any communicable disease.
What if I want to receive the vaccine?
The College is working with a company to provide the vaccination though a campus wide vaccination clinic in early February to those students who elect to receive the vaccine. Cost for these vaccines will be approximately $75.00. Information about the vaccine clinic will be forwarded to students’ home addresses in December.
If a student does not want to wait until February to receive the vaccine, then the R.N. Ellington Health Center will order the vaccine and administer it to the student. Cost will also be $ 75.00 and will be administered within 10 days after the order is placed. Contact Ms. Kitty Parrish, Director of the R.N. Ellington Health center at 584-2325 to make arrangements.
Where Can I Find More Information About Meningococcal Meningitis?
For more information on this disease and the vaccine, contact the R.N. Ellington Health Center at (336) 584-2219. Additional information is available on the CDC Website, and through the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases and the American College Health Association.
Prepared by:
Division of Student Life, The R.N. Ellington Health Service
Elon College
October 1999