Northern Arizona University student confirmed positive for bacterial meningitis
A Northern Arizona University (NAU) freshman who was living on campus has been admitted to a local hospital to be treated for bacterial meningitis, according to a University news release Thursday.
The AZ Daily Sun reports that at least eight other students are being treated with prophylactic antibiotics as a precaution.
Neisseria meningitidis
Image/CDC
Beth Applebee, executive director of NAU’s Campus Health Services said, “We are identifying individuals who may have had close contact with the student, and they are receiving treatment with antibiotics as a precautionary measure.”
Applebee said close contact refers to individuals who have prolonged contact of more than eight hours and are in close proximity, or who have been directly exposed to the individual’s oral secretions between one week before the onset of symptoms until 24 hours after initiation of antibiotic therapy. Such individuals include household members, roommates and intimate contacts.
Symptoms of meningitis may resemble the flu, including high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one to two days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness. As the disease progresses, patients of any age may have seizures.
A person may acquire bacterial meningitis from an infected person through close, direct contact. This can include kissing or sharing of personal items, such as drinking glasses, utensils, smoking materials and possibly through shared food.
The University Campus Health Services is offering the meningitis vaccine during normal business hours at a cost of $115. NAU recommends incoming students receive a vaccine to protect against some forms of meningitis, but does not require one.
Coconino County Health Department reports there are no other cases at this time. The last case reported at NAU was in 2007.
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