College students are particularly susceptible to the fatal brain and spinal cord infection known as meningitis, and the University and other institutions across the country are working to protect students from infection.
Bacterial meningitis is a rare disease that is particularly dangerous because it often can be mistaken for more common illnesses. Some symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headaches and painful joints. Of the 3,000 cases reported each year in the U.S., 10 percent resulted in fatalities while another 10 percent were left with severe disabilities.
Cases are rare because the bacteria responsible for meningitis cannot live very long outside the body. Contamination can occur by sharing drinks, kissing, coughing or sneezing.
College students are often in close contact with large numbers of people, and their risk of contracting the disease is increased greatly. Between September 1998 and June 1999, 88 cases were found on college campuses and six resulted in fatalities, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The most at risk are undergraduates who have close contacts with each other, don't get enough sleep, don't get enough to eat," said Sandra Murray, clinical manager at the Elson Student Health Center.
The risk of contracting meningitis for students in dorms is 3.4 times higher than for someone living off campus, but those living off campus in close quarters still run a high risk.
The risk increases further when alcohol or cigarettes are being used. Smoking and drinking can decrease the effectiveness of the immune system allowing the meningitis bacteria to more easily enter the body, said Grace Lee, program coordinator for Vaccess, a company that provides a meningitis vaccine to colleges and universities.
The only preventative measure against meningitis is a vaccine that lasts about three to four years.
Since an outbreak of five cases between March 1995 and November 1996 here at the University, officials have been encouraging students to get the shot.
"The vaccine ... can protect 70 percent of occurrences that can occur on campus," said Susan Tate, University director of Health Promotion.
The Student Health Center will be offering both flu and meningitis vaccinations Oct. 26. The meningitis shot costs $70, while the flu vaccine is $15.
Vaccess will have vaccination stations at both Newcomb Hall and the Aquatics and Fitness Center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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