Officials with the Buena Vista University (BVU) Health Services Office announced late last week of a case of bacterial meningitis in a student from the Storm Lake campus.
The patient was treated and is recovering.
As of Friday, all persons who had been in close contact with the infected individual have been interviewed and treated, if necessary, as a precautionary measure. At this time there are no additional cases to report. In 2006 BVU changed the student health policy to include a meningitis vaccination which has alleviated significant concern and lessens the current risk.
Meningitis is spread by contact with mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person. It is most often spread between people with direct saliva contact by kissing, sharing cigarettes, lip balm, lip stick, sharing drinks or eating utensils and drug paraphernalia. Casual contact with someone with meningitis usually will not transmit the infectious agent.
Related: What is meningitis, how do you get infected and how can you prevent it?
The most common signs and symptoms follow: Elevated fever usually over 103 degrees, achy joints, severe headache, nausea / vomiting, stiff neck and lethargy.
Related:
