CU Student Diagnosed With Meningitis

BOULDER, CO -- A 19-year-old male University of Colorado-Boulder student has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, according to a press release from the school. Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can affect tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Most people recover from meningitis, however serious complications – including death –can occur in as little as a few hours if it is left untreated.

The student is currently in fair condition at Boulder Community Hospital. Boulder County Public Health officials are investigating the case

Meningitis is carried in the saliva and requires direct contact to spread. Health officials are reaching out to those who may be at risk in this case. Ways that meningitis can be spread include, but are not limited to sharing e-cigarettes or other smoking devices, kissing, sharing drinks or utensils, and being exposed to secretions from the nose or throat of the infected person. A person may be infected for one to 10 days, and most commonly three to four days, before showing any symptoms.

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According to CU officials, vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this severe disease, and anyone who has never been vaccinated for meningococcal meningitis or has not been vaccinated in the past five years, should consider getting the vaccination.Those at greatest risk are students living in residence halls.

If you have been determined to be a close contact of a person with meningococcal disease, you still need to get medication even if you have been adequately vaccinated. Treatment of meningitis involves antibiotics.

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