September 27, 2005

Students exposed to meningitis victim asked to contact health center

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue students who attended a party at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house in Terre Haute on Friday (Sept. 23) should report to the university's student health center to be evaluated for the need to receive antibiotics to prevent bacterial meningitis.

Purdue health officials also are asking that those who had close personal contact with students who attended the party call the Purdue Student Health Center at (765) 494-1700 or visit the center, 601 Stadium Mall Drive. An Indiana University student who attended the fraternity party is being treated for meningitis and is in critical but stable condition today (Tuesday, Sept. 27) at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

James S. Westman, director of student health, said it is important that at-risk students who may have been exposed receive preventative treatment.

"Bacterial meningitis is a rare but serious disease that can be life threatening and result in permanent disability," Westman said. "It is typically transmitted by contact with an infected person's saliva, such as through kissing, sharing a drink or coughing in close proximity to another person. Brain and spinal cord infection can be fatal in 10 percent of those infected."

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, headache, skin rash and stiff neck. Other signs may include nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, confusion and discomfort looking into bright lights. Patients may develop seizures as the disease progresses.

Bacterial meningitis has a one- to 10-day incubation period, with four days being the norm. The disease also can develop within hours. It is not transmitted by casual contact.

Cases among college students, especially freshmen, are reported at slightly higher rates compared to the same-aged, non-college population. The American College Health Association recommends that students consider receiving vaccinations, which are available at the student health center, to reduce their risk for meningitis. The last reported case of meningitis on the West Lafayette campus occurred in March 2002.

Health center business hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and urgent care is open until 9 p.m. Urgent care also is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Further information about meningitis and its treatment is available on the student health center Web site.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Source: James S. Westman, (765) 494-1720, westman@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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