Another Rutgers Student has Meningitis, University Confirms

Rutgers - A student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, the university announced Friday morning. Meningitis is a serious illness that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and can become deadly.

The student, who was hospitalized on April 29, is receiving treatment and is recovering, said Melodee Lasky, MD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health & Wellness. This is the second case of meningitis on the Rutgers University campus this spring: On March 18, a student was hospitalized with meningitis and has since recovered. That student was hospitalized with serogroup B meningococcal disease (MenB).

Public health officials are currently conducting an investigation to determine if these two cases might be linked.

Those who had close contact with this most recent student are being notified so they can receive antibiotics as a preventative measure. Special testing is being requested to determine the specific strain of meningococcal bacteria causing the infection in this student.

Once diagnosed, meningitis is treatable with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. Signs and symptoms of meningitis could include high fever, headache, stiff neck and a rash. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take one to two days.

Members of the Rutgers University community who experience symptoms or have health concerns should visit the Rutgers Student Health Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hurtado Health Center, Busch/Livingston Health Center and Cook/Douglass Health Center.

Meningitis is generally transmitted through direct exchange of respiratory and throat secretions by close personal contact, such as coughing, sharing drinks, kissing and being in close proximity for an extended period of time.

Stock image/Morguefile