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!
31c