Housing Handbook Collin College Resident Handbook05-08-2020 | Page 26

more information, go to www.collin.edu/getting
started/admissions/meningitis/.
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the brain and
spinal cord that causes inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain. Several
different types of bacteria can cause meningitis. A
leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United
States is Neisseria meningitidis, also called
meningococcal
meningitis
(CDC,
Bacterial
Meningitis, 2017, https://www.cdc.gov/menin
gitis/bacterial.html).
Bacterial meningitis strikes approximately 600 to
1,000 Americans each year, with the greatest risk
of contraction affecting adolescents and young
adults (National Meningitis Association, 2019,
www.nmaus.org/disease-prevention-information
/statistics-and-disease-facts/).
Symptoms may vary, but may include some or all of
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
high fever,
rash or purple patches on the skin,
light sensitivity,
confusion and sleepiness,
severe headache,
nausea and vomiting,
stiff neck, and
seizures.
In addition to the symptoms listed above, an
individual may develop a rash of tiny, red-purple
spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can
occur anywhere on the body. This is a sign of a
very serious infection that needs immediate
medical care.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is
usually based on a combination of clinical
symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid
and blood tests. Early diagnosis and treatment
can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.
How is bacterial meningitis transmitted?
The disease is spread through air droplets or
through direct contact with infected people. Direct
contact can happen when people kiss, cough, share
drinks or cigarettes, or if they provide certain types
of medical aid to a person with bacterial meningitis.
When it is spread, exposed people typically become
ill within three (3) to seven (7) days (CDC, Bacterial
Meningitis, 2017, https://www.cdc.gov/menin
gitis/bacterial. html).
Who is at an increased risk of getting bacterial
meningitis?
Vaccination against meningococcal disease is
recommended for persons at an increased risk of
getting bacterial meningitis. Those persons
include, but are not limited to, adolescents ages 11-
18 years, college freshmen living in dormitories (or
sharing apartments), anyone who has a damaged
spleen or whose spleen has been removed, and
people who have been exposed to meningitis
during an outbreak (CDC, Meningococcal
Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know, 2017,
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/pub
lic/index.html).
What are the possible consequences of the
disease?
While most people recover fully, 10-15% of people
who have blood or brain infections caused by
Nisseria meningitidis will die. About 19% of people
who survive meningococcal disease will have
permanent effects such as hearing loss, brain
damage, or the loss of a limb (National Meningitis
Association,
2019,
https://www.nmaus.org/
disease-prevention-information/five-facts-about-
meningococcal-disease-and-prevention/).
Can the disease be treated?
Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save
lives and chances of recovery are increased.
However, permanent disability or death can still
occur. Vaccinations are available and should be
considered for:
1.
2019-2020 Collin College Resident Handbook
those living in close quarters or
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