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Published On: Tue, May 7th, 2013

Princeton University student diagnosed with meningitis

A Princeton University student has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and is being treated at a local hospital, according to a university news release May 7.

The yet unnamed student was taken to the hospital Monday night while experiencing symptoms of meningitis, and test results this morning confirmed that he had bacterial meningitis. The condition of the student has not been disclosed.

Blair Hall at Princeton University Public domain photo/Wikimedia commons

Blair Hall at Princeton University Public domain photo/Wikimedia commons

The University is coordinating its response with regional and state health officials, and those who had close contact with the student are being notified so they can receive any needed medical attention.

University Health Services and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety are encouraging members of the University community to pay increased attention to personal hygienic practices in light of this confirmed case.

Although it has not been confirmed, the type of bacterial meningitis frequently seen in this age group (college-aged people) is meningococcal meningitis.

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, which causes the most severe form of bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can also be found in the bloodstream. This particular type of meningitis is very severe and can result in death if not treated promptly. Even in cases where treatment has been given, the fatality rate is around 15%.

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are sudden, with fever, stiff neck, body aches and headaches. As the disease progresses other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia and seizures. A petechial rash seen on the trunk and lower extremities, bleeding complications, multi-organ failures and shock are usually final signs. This disease has the ability to kill within hours of getting it.

Up to 10-20% of older children and young adults carry this organism in the mouth and nose, though the carriage rate will vary with age and closeness of population. The majority of people that carry this bacterium have no clinical disease. The organism is spread person to person through respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth (coughing, sneezing and kissing). Experts are unsure why some people advance to meningitis disease while many do not.

Crowded living conditions facilitate the spread of the organism and places like military barracks and college dormitories are well documented areas of concern with this disease.

If you have close contact with someone with meningococcal meningitis, see your doctor for prophylactic antibiotics.

Meningococcal meningitis is a devastating disease with epidemic potential. This disease is considered a medical emergency and if you have the classic symptoms see your health care professional. It can be treated with antibiotics, but without delay.

There is a vaccine available that protects against most of the common strains of meningococcal meningitis seen in the US. New Jersey State law requires all Princeton students living in dorms to have received the meningitis vaccine.

Members of the University community who experience symptoms or have health concerns may visit the University’s McCosh Health Center or call (609) 258-3141 during business hours, and (609) 258-3139 after hours.

 

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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  1. Update: Princeton meningitis case confirmed positive for Neisseria meningitidis group B - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] a follow up to a report last week, Princeton University has announced that a student that was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis […]

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