University students will be able to receive meningitis vaccinations Nov. 5 to combat the deadly disease.
VaccessHealth, the company administering the vaccination, has issued the vaccine to 4,000 students during the past four years, said Dr. Timothy S. Honigman, LSU Health Center Medical director.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, meningitis is an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and brain.
The Web site said the disease, which usually is referred to as spiral meningitis, can either be caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral meningitis is less severe than bacterial meningitis.
The Web site said neisseria meningitis and streptococcus pneumonias are the main causes of bacterial meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis can cause severe brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities, the Web site said.
According to the American College Health Association, since the early ’90s the number of meningitis infections at U.S. colleges and universities has increased.
The ACHA Web site said 2,500 Americans contract the disease each year, but only 10 percent to 15 percent of those infected die from it.
“It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campus, and 5 to 15 students die as a result,” the AHCA Web site said.
According to an Oct. 30 e-mail sent by the Broadcast Center, college students are at a greater risk for the disease because of lifestyle activities.
Honigman said college students are high risks for the disease because they typically live in dormitories. Also, going to public places such as night clubs puts students at risk.
The ADHA says more college freshmen are infected by the disease than any other group of college students.
Honigman said the disease is contagious because it can spread from person to person by sneezing, kissing, coughing and drinking after each other.
According to www.meningitis.org, symptoms of the disease are fever, vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, rash, and dislike of bright lights.
Honigman said the symptoms for the virus could appear to be the flu.
“That’s what’s so scary,” Honigman said. The symptoms of the disease are often misdiagnosed as the flu.
Honigman said symptoms of the bacteria caused by neisseria meningitis include a rash that will develop on the skin.
According to the CDC, people infected with the bacteria should be treated quickly.
The Broadcast Center e-mail said death from meningitis can occur within 24 hours to 48 hours.
Honigman said there is a possibility that people can be A-systematic, which means they are carrying the germ but are not infected.
According to www.musa.org, people of all ages can carry the bacteria for weeks or months before becoming ill. At least 10 percent to 25 percent of the population are carriers of the disease. Carriers of the bacteria often become immune to it.
Meningitis vaccinations will be offered between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom. Students must pay $90 and present a valid student ID.