OSU Student Has Meningitis
KOTV - 2/6/2007 2:05 PM - Updated 2/6/2007 9:34 PM
An OSU student was diagnosed Tuesday morning with bacterial meningitis, a contagious and potentially fatal infection. The student lives on campus in Stillwater. News on 6 reporter Chris Wright reports on how the university is handling the diagnosis.
OSU scrambled to find and treat friends, classmates, or faculty who may have had any contact with the female student, in hopes that this will remain an isolated case.
The word went out Tuesday via a campus-wide e-mail, and was also posted on OSU's website. A student had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, and anyone who had class with her was encouraged to head to student health services for a free antibiotic. About 200 students and faculty were treated throughout the day, some who admitted they were a little nervous after hearing the news.
"I had got the vaccination before I came to Stillwater, but I was still a little worried because I didn't know how bad it was," OSU freshman Jamie Boller.
"I had to call my parents, tell them what was going on and everything,” junior Joel Parks said. “Make sure if they found out so they wouldn't be worried or anything."
This is the second case in as many years at the school. Timber Eaton survived a bout with meningitis after contracting it on a Spring Break Trip.
The infection is potentially fatal, and the symptoms usually appear between two to ten days after infection. OSU health officials say meningitis is not likely to spread through casual contact, but they wanted to act quickly to treat everyone.
"We want to move rapidly, we think by tomorrow at this time we'll have everything under control," said University Health Services Director Steve Rogers.
Rogers says the student's living arrangements may help to contain the bacteria. She lives in an on campus apartment, officials say that may have helped prevent the spread of meningitis, because she does not live in a dorm, she does not come in contact with quite as many students.
Regardless, those who have class with her appreciated the free antibiotic, saying it put their minds at ease.
"I was really nervous because I was having a couple of symptoms beforehand, it was intense, but everything is fine now," said freshman Amanda Likens.
The student remains hospitalized, but OSU has not released any information about her condition. OSU has provided a fact sheet on meningococcal disease and other related information at www.okstate.edu.
O.O
chick was in my chemistry class and rumored to be in my lab too ............
The health department and osu Doctor gave us some anti-body pills today and explained the situation during chem lab.
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"I was really nervous because I was having a couple of symptoms beforehand, it was intense, but everything is fine now," said freshman Amanda Likens.
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Stupid freshman - in the interview she claimed she was having symptoms and after she got the pill she felt all better. Talk about the power of the brain - she made herself feel ill via panic.
for some odd reason, while the word "Ganya" was still just a thought-dropping in my head, I thought it'd only be four letters. But apparently it's five. yep.
Meneingitis is pretty nasty, I remeber that the UK had an outbreak at colleges and universities a few years back and now every British student is entitled to a free vaccination before they start college or uni regardless of wethere or not you were immunised as a kid.
I hope the student pulls through but I think if you catch it quick enough and get suitable treatment you will be OK but I think it can leave nasty side effects blindness being one but like I said I think, could be something else I am thinking of.
Well you can get it through Saliva, Faeces, and nasal discharge so maybe if she kissed somebody or was in contact with someone who had the flu then that might have cuased it, also in rare cases people have got it after having illness such as Chickenpox.
modestmouse said this in post #6 : That's what I was wondering! How in the heck does just one person out of nowhere get something like that? How strange
It can start out as an ear infection or even strep. What happens is the virus or bacteria gets into the spine and travels up to the brain or something like that. Thats kind of how it was explained in my physiology class. wish i could recall it word for word. but it can start out as something ubber basic.
here's something i found
***Causes of meningitis
Meningitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections.
Everybody carries bacteria and viruses harmlessly in the nose and throat, but occasionally specific types can overcome the body's immune system and cause meningitis. These infections may be caught from other people through coughing, sneezing, kissing, contact with infected blood, or contaminated food or water. The infection may be passed on without causing meningitis or any symptoms of the disease.
Occasionally meningitis can be a complication of another infection or a head injury or brain surgery.
Scientists do not yet fully understand why babies and teenagers, young adults and the elderly are more susceptible to meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial infections account for about 60% of reported cases of meningitis. There are two main types - meningococcal meningitis and pneumococcal meningitis.
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides. It is five times more common than the pneumococcal infection and comes in two main strains - Group B and Group C. Nearly everyone who gets it (more than 90%) recovers. However, as well as infecting the meninges (pronounced men-in-jees) meningococcal bacteria infect the bloodstream in about half the people infected, resulting in a more dangerous condition known as meningococcal septicaemia. Most deaths from meningococcal infection are caused by septicaemia.
Pneumoccocal meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It can also result in septicaemia. Streptococcus pneumoniae usually causes less serious illnesses than meningitis, such as ear infections and sore throats.
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02-07-2007 05:49 AM
