Public Health Notice for College Community
(Last Revised 9/28/07, 7:30 p.m.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MENINGITIS

What is meningococcal meningitis and what are the symptoms?
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection of the lining of the brain. The bacteria often colonize the nose and throat of healthy people in a harmless (carrier) state - approximately 10% of the general population may carry meningococcal bacteria in the nose and throat in this carrier state. This carrier state may last for days or months before disappearing spontaneously. However, on occasion, the bacteria become invasive, resulting in infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; when this happens, a person can become gravely ill.

Some common early symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, and sensitivity to bright light, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash and lethargy. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see a physician immediately.

How is it spread?
The meningococcal bacteria responsible for this disease are spread only through close, prolonged contact with a person who is infected or who is a carrier. Close and/or intimate contact with an infected individual does call for preventative measures. People who have had intimate or close direct exposure to a meningococcal meningitis patient in the seven days before the onset of illness should receive prophylactic medication. The medical definition of intimate or close direct contact includes kissing; sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses or toothbrushes; or by droplet contamination from nose, throat or any secretions or excretions from the body of the infected individual. Because the meningitis vaccine provides protection against most, but not all, strains of meningococcus, the degree of protection from immunization is not 100%. Therefore, even individuals previously vaccinated against meningococcus should take prophylaxis if they had close contact with an infected individual.

Casual contact (eating in the same dining hall, attending classes together) does not pose a risk and most infectious disease experts do not recommend treatment for people with casual or random exposure. The bacteria are not transmitted by food handlers or through food. Meningococcal bacteria usually cannot live outside the body for more than a few minutes; people cannot be infected by being in a room where an infected individual has been.

I am afraid that I may have been exposed to the student in class (or the library or at a party).
There is no risk to having touched or hugged the student. There is no risk to face-to-face conversation with the student nor is there a risk to having been in the same building, room, classroom, library or other setting or using the same bathroom.

If I were exposed to meningococcal meningitis, how long is it before I would get sick? How long is the incubation period for meningitis?
The incubation period ranges from 1 to 10 days but it is usually less than 4 days.

I have been feeling sick for the past few days. How do I know that I don’t have meningitis? Should I be evaluated?
Meningococcal meningitis is usually a severe and rapidly progressive illness, so it is extremely unlikely that your recent illness was meningitis. If you are still concerned, we would be happy to evaluate you. The Cohen Student Health Center will be open Saturday 9/29/07 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Sunday 9/29/07 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Normal operating hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone (814) 824-2431. If you have concerns after hours, you may contact the office of Police and Safety (814) 824-2431 or St. Vincent's Emergency Room at (814) 452-5354.

Adopted with permission from the University of Pennsylvania