6/9/98
ATHENS, Ohio -- An Ohio University student diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis was listed in good condition this morning at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens. The 20-year-old student, who lives off campus in Athens, was admitted to O'Bleness on Saturday.
Hospital officials reported the case to the Athens County Health Department, as required by state law. Ohio University health officials were notified Monday.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, which infects the fluid around the spinal cord and brain. Meningitis can be either viral or bacterial. Bacterial is the more severe form of the disease.
Bacterial meningitis is transferred through direct oral secretions, and may be transmitted through kissing or sharing eating utensils, for example. The incubation period is one to 10 days, although symptoms usually surface within four days of exposure.
Symptoms of the illness are similar to flu symptoms and include high fever, headache, a stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, discomfort when looking into bright lights, confusion, sleepiness and, in extreme cases, seizures. Symptoms can develop over several hours or days. The illness is treated with antibiotics.
People who may have had the close contact required for transmission of the illness can be treated with prophylactic medication and should contact a physician immediately. Ohio University students can receive this treatment from Hudson Health Center from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.