Case of meningitis at Elon

March 7, 2017

Dear students, faculty and staff:

An Elon student has been diagnosed with meningitis. Based on information from the student, the Alamance County Health Department and University personnel have identified people with whom the student had close contact. Those individuals have been contacted. Out of an abundance of caution and on the advice of state and local health officials, preventive antibiotics are being provided to the small number of people we have identified who could possibly be at risk. No other cases of meningitis have been reported. If you have not been contacted by Elon Student Health Services, then you are not someone who has been identified as in close contact with the student and in need of medication.

Following is general information we received from the Alamance County Health Department about meningitis, how it is spread, and how to protect yourself from infection:

Meningitis is a medical condition that is caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It often affects children and young adults, although persons of any age can become infected. A small number of people with this infection will have a serious illness. This disease is most commonly seen in late winter and early spring.

Meningitis is not a highly communicable disease and requires direct and extended contact with the saliva, nasal and throat secretions of infected persons. After exposure, symptoms may be seen within 2-10 days. 

Symptoms may include the following: sudden onset of fever, severe headache, rash, stiff neck, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. Some types of meningitis are spread by direct contact with oral secretions (saliva) such as shared eating utensils, foods, kissing, and sharing cigarettes. Some people carry the organism in their nose and throat, but they do not become sick and do not cause cases of meningitis. Preventive antibiotic treatment is only recommended for individuals who might have had contact with the ill student’s saliva.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, please contact your physician right away. We appreciate your attention in helping to prevent the spread of this disease.  If you have any questions, please call the Office of Student Health and Wellness on 336-278-7200.

Vaccines are available for certain types of meningitis. If you are not up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, or are not sure, contact your healthcare provider, the Elon Health Center patient portal, or the Alamance County Health Department, at 336-570-6459.

Sincerely,

Ginette Archinal, MD
Medical Director
Elon Student Health Services