Have you gotten your meningitis vaccination yet?

College students nationwide are bombarded by pamphlets and literature that talk about this infection, but these warnings hit home when a student attending the University of Louisville recently experienced the frightening symptoms of meningitis.

This outbreak prompted a renewed effort to ensure UE students are properly protected.

Dr. Randall Stoltz, UE physician, said meningitis can be either viral or bacterial, but it is the bacterial strains that are the most severe. He said meningococcal meningitis is the cause of nearly all college outbreaks.

While Stoltz believes there has never been an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis at UE, he still recommends the Menactra vaccine for all students—a vaccination recently approved by the FDA and thought to provide extended immunity.

The vaccination is not mandated at UE, but it is a state law in Indiana that students must be presented with a form that lists risks associated with the infection.

Students choosing not to receive the vaccination must sign the form indicating they understand the threat of infection.

“When parents see the sheet explaining the risks associated with meningitis, most are going to pay for the shot,” Stoltz said.

Dana Clayton, vice president for student affairs, said UE does not require the meningitis vaccine because the State of Indiana does not require it.

She believes this is because of possible side effects to the vaccine, but students should discuss getting the vaccine with their physician.

Kelly Kelley, Vanderburgh Health Department communicable disease epidemiologist, said she does not remember an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, but there are usually about 50–80 viral meningitis patients every year in the Tri-State area.

Kelley said if an outbreak would occur in the community, students could potentially be at risk for contracting the infection.

“It depends on where the outbreak occurs,” she said. “For example, if we had an outbreak at the jail, it would be an isolated effect. But there is a risk for infection anytime you have many people in close quarters.”

The infection can be transmitted through bacteria in coughing, sneezing or saliva. Once bacteria is present, it is easily transmitted and could infect other students within days.

“Anytime a fever gets above 104 degrees, it is something we obviously need to look at,” Stoltz said. “Students might feel disoriented because meningitis affects the brain tissue.”

For students who have not been vaccinated, studies have shown that antibiotics are a good defense against infection when treated in a timely matter.

But, Stoltz said, even if cases are treated immediately, the risk of dying is still about 15 percent, something many students do not realize.

“Students are living so close together, in dorms or frat houses, it can easily spread like wildfire,” he said. “Their immune systems might be run down, and the infection can just hit them all of the sudden.”

Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include high fever, chills, rashes covering the body, nausea and a stiff neck, Stoltz said.

He said as the infection rages through the body, patients might experience permanent neurological damage.

Stoltz said students exhibiting these symptoms should contact their physician or go to the Health Center.