1 Year Later: Georgetown University Student Dies of Meningitis

A year ago, Georgetown University student Andrea Jaime died from meningitis. The Bogota, Colombia sophomore was majoring in human science and had planned to go to medical school. She died Tuesday, Sept. 16, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. A prayer service jammed with stunned students was held that night at the university.

This post is presented as published, on Sept. 16, 2014.

A Georgetown University student has died after contracting meningitis, according to a report by NBC-4.

The student was Andrea Jaime, a sophomore at the School of Nursing and Health Studies, who passed away at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson and Assistant Vice President for Student Health Services James Welsh alerted the Georgetown University community of the case of meningitis, a severe illness that can pose a public health risk to campus.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that line the central nervous system. It is contagious and can be spread through respiratory moisture.

“Student Health Services are encouraging members of the University community to pay increased attention to personal hygienic practices, including washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol based hand-sanitizers regularly,” Olson and Welsh wrote. “To limit the spread of illness, you should avoid sharing cups, cosmetics, toothbrushes, smoking materials or anything that comes in contact with the mouth.”

Vaccination prevents most forms of meningitis and students who have questions about vaccines should visit the Student Health Center.

Students at Georgetown University who were in touch with fellow student Andrea Jaime before her death Tuesday from meningitis are being given antibiotics, according to a report by WJLA.

“This does not mean that these close contacts have the disease; it is to prevent it,” administrators told the TV station.

Georgetown is advising students and others at the university they can prevent meningitis by “paying increased attention to personal hygienic practices, including washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol based hand-sanitizers regularly. To further limit the spread of illness, you should also avoid sharing cups, cosmetics, toothbrushes, smoking materials or anything that comes in contact with the mouth.”

Signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis can include high fever, headache, vomiting or stiff neck. Signs and symptoms of a bloodstream infection, which these bacteria can also cause, can include vomiting, chills, rapid breathing, or dark purple rash. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take a few days.