Meningitis Essay, Research Paper

Meningitis Outbreaks Among College Students

Imagine waking up one morning with flu-like symptoms, only to find out

that you have contracted a potentially fatal disease from someone in a class or in

your dorm. Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious infection that

occasionally infects college students and others living in relatively isolated,

confined communities such as dormitories, thus making college students at a

greater risk for contracting the potentially fatal disease.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal chord

caused by either viruses or bacteria. Viral infections are more common than

bacterial infections, usually occurs in late spring and summer. Viral outbreaks

are often accompanied by stiff neck, nausea, headache, vomiting, and rash.

Cases of viral meningitis run a short uneventful course. On the other hand,

bacterial infections are very rare and occur sporadically throughout the year,

especially in late winter and early spring. Bacterial meningitis in college students

is most likely caused by a rare strand of the bacteria known as meningococcal

meningitis. This potentially lethal infection is accompanied by fever, headache,

vomiting, rash, and changes in mental state. The time of progression related to

meningococcal meningitis causes grave illness and rapidly progresses to death if

untreated.

Outbreaks of meningitis occur in relatively isolated, confined

environments, such

as small communities and institutional settings and have recently become

popular on college campuses. According to the US Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks has

risen sharply in recent years, with a total of 33 outbreaks on college campuses

alone during the last four years.

This is quite possibly due to the close living environments that students are

accustomed to. Since 10% of the general population carry meningococcal

bacteria in the nose and throat, the disease is most often transmitted through

the air via sneezing or coughing and through direct contact with persons infected

by the disease.

The wide spread of college outbreaks of meningitis suggests that lifestyle

behaviors among college students help to transmit and increase risk of

contracting the disease. More often than not, students are unaware of the

dangers which accompany social activities such as, active and passive smoking,

bar patronage, and excessive alcohol consumption; all of which allow for the

passing of germs and events that lower immune system to bacteria.

Though meningitis is potentially lethal, it is treatable. Often, the disease

symptoms of the illness go unrecognized and mistaken for the flu. For this

reason, it is extremely important that students take proper health precautions.

The American College Health Association recommends that all college

students under the age of 30 consider getting vaccinated against meningococcal

disease. The meningococcal vaccination offers three to five years of protection

against one of the two strains most prevalent in the U.S. In twelve of fifteen

documented cases among college students, meningitis could have been

prevented through vaccination. The vaccination is painless and the average cost

of the vaccination runs at rate of around $60 which can be given at local doctor

offices and through university health clinics.

Meningococcal disease can be rapidly progressive but with early

diagnosis and treatment, the likelihood of a full recovery is increased. Early

recognition, performance of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), and prompt initiation

of antimicrobial therapy are crucial. If someone were to be exposed to the

disease, they should seek help from a physician immediately. Such prophylactic

antibiotics as ciprofloxacin or rifampin is usually prescribed and works effectively

in such cases.

In conclusion, Meningococcal meningitis is a very severe and dangerous

disease that college students must be aware of in order to recognize, prevent,

and to treat the disease so that future outbreaks do not occur. One may help to

prevent the transmission of the disease by taking simple precautions such as

washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, as well

as being vaccinated for the disease in order to protect oneself from contracting

the deadly illness.

As a caution, anyone who becomes ill with mild, flu-like symptoms should

watch for more severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting, rash, headache, or

changes in mental status. If any of these symptoms develop, do not delay in

seeking medical attention!

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