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St. Cloud State University
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Campus offers meningitis shots
By Regina Eckes
Published:
Monday, April 7, 2003
Media Credit: Blair Schlichte
SCSU Health Services offers meningitis vaccinations throughout the school year. The vaccination is especially recommended to incoming first year students. Because the vaccine may be only 85 percent effective, however, all students are advised to keep a careful eye out for the symptoms of meningitis.
Meningitis has made its way into the spotlight again as a student from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities died nearly two weeks ago from the disease. Because of the recent scare, SCSU is taking a more proactive role by giving out information on the infection as well as a vaccination given by Student Heath Services.
Meningitis is a rare disease that peaks during the late winter to early spring. It strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, of which only about 300 cases are fatal, according to the American College Heath Association (ACHA). Because of its rarity, the disease is also very vague and can often be misdiagnosed as something less serious.
Many students are unaware of its dangers and ways they can become less susceptible to it. There are different types of meningitis floating around, but in a college campus setting, meningococcal meningitis is the most common.
"Meningitis can come from many different illnesses, viruses, organisms and bacteria," said Bruce Ver Steeg, a staff physician at SCSU's Student Health Services. "The type of meningitis that has made the headlines lately, particularly with a death at the University of Minnesota, is caused by a type of bacteria."
Students that live on campus in college dormitories especially, are the most high-risk group. Because of living in high-density housing, students partake in increased social behaviors such as sharing a room, bathroom and eating quarters with a large amount of other students. People's risk of getting the disease increase because of the viruses and bacteria others might carry. However, Ver Steeg would not dismiss living in the dormitories for that reason alone.
"If people can avoid high density housing situations that would help, but I wouldn't suggest not living in the dormitories for that reason," he said. "The cases of meningococcal meningitis are rare, and they aren't always fatal either."
When Meningitis strikes, it can become fatal within a short period, possibly within days or even hours. It is essential that students are aware of the symptoms and ways to prevent contracting the disease.
"Basically we look for things like a fever, headache, vomiting, confusion and deliria and things like back and neck stiffness are some of the more common signs," Ver Steeg said .Sometimes there is a characteristic rash that develops if you're talking about meningococcal meningitis."
Due to the stress of being in school and various other illnesses being spread around throughout the year, students are most likely going to have a headache or stiffness at one point or another. But, however normal the symptoms might seem, it is important not to let them go unnoticed or unquestioned for a long period of time.
"A clinical assessment is crucial to get if someone develops the symptoms, particularly the high fever and the headache and the stiffness, even in a place like the student health services or emergency room," Ver Steeg said regarding the help students should seek when dealing with the symptoms of meningitis. "Treatment with antibiotics can be life-saving if given early enough."
As of Oct. 20, 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Center for Disease Control recommend that centers which provide healthcare to students should also provide information and vaccines on meningitis. SCSU has been following those recommendations along with the majority of other colleges and universities.
Student Health Services offers the meningitis vaccination year-round and encourages students, especially incoming students, to look into getting the shot. But just because one receives the vaccination does not mean they are free to ignore symptoms if they occur. The vaccination is actually not perfect, as it is only 85-100 percent effective for prevention since there are many different types of meningitis. Because of this and the rarity of the disease, many students do not feel the need to get the vaccination any time soon.
"I would get a shot if it becomes more of a big deal on campus, because I didn't know St. Cloud was doing anything about it," said Erin O'Fallon, a Residential Advisor in Benton Hall. "But it's scary because it's reality and hits close to home and it's so easy to get."
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