Meningitis Making a College Comeback?

Student in critical condition

Meningitis might be making its way back on the college scene, this time possibly striking a 20-year-old student at Penn State.

The student, who belongs to the Alpha Chi Ro fraternity, has been hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center and is being treated for the bacterial form of the infection, health officials at Penn State reported.

Other members of the fraternity, as well as friends and acquaintances of the student, have been told to get treated with antiobiotics.

Earlier this month, a University of Pennsylvania student was hospitalized after contracting meningococcal meningitis and several UPenn students were hospitalized in February after an outbreak of the disease.   

Because symptoms are almost flu-like, meningococcal meningitis is a disease that can easily be misdiagnosed as something less serious.  Early symptoms may include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, confusion and lethargy. 

Symptoms may develop rapidly and for this reason, it is important to get medical care as soon as possible, Penn State health officials said.

Meningococcal meningitis is spread by activities such as kissing, and sharing eating utensils, drink containers, and toothbrushes.
 

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