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Meningitis:   A college epidemic 

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By Trisha Forney and Linda Pottier

Meeting people from around the country and the world is one of the bright spots about transferring to a university. But with that opportunity comes a danger, of meningitis.

"College students are vulnerable (to meningitis) because they are out in a population of young adults from all over the world," said registered nurse Sandra Ernat. "The other students that are on campus are bringing a lot of different germs that the student may not have come in contact with before. Their immunity is not very good."

The most serious type of meningitis is very dangerous, Ernat explained, because it masquerades as the flu and can lead to death within hours.

"The really scary thing about it is that is progresses very rapidly, Ernat said. "The symptoms are just so vague, it could be the flu or a hangover.

"The kids think they have the flu, the next thing they know, they have a stiff neck, then their temperature rises, and in 24 hours they could be dead."

Meningitis, which is a swelling of the membrane covering the brain and surrounding the spinal cord, is treatable with antibiotics if caught at an early stage. But Ernat recommends a vaccine to prevent it because of its rapid development and possible misdiagnosis.

Ernat, who owns and operates Health and Safety, International, has provided the vaccine to international travelers who are also at risk. After earning an associate degree in nursing from IVCC, Ernat earned a B.S. from Bradley and a Master's from NIU.

About 100 cases of meningitis are being reported per year in Illinois with the disease hitting colleges more, Ernat said. Universities are starting to encourage students to be vaccinated, and some are making the vaccine available through their health centers, she said.

Since a person will build an immunity to the disease in about two weeks after receiving the vaccine, and the immunity lasts for three to five years, Ernat recommends the vaccine before transfer.

"If they (IVCC students) took it now, it would carry them through if they went to a university."

IVCC students could contract the disease, but are less at risk than students on a large university campus, living in dormitories and eating in cafeterias. Ernat explained that young students who are away from home tend to get less sleep, drink more alcohol and use more tobacco, all of which weaken the immune system.

"If they (IVCC students) are going to other campuses, visiting other students, partying with them, they could come home with it," she added.

Symptoms to look for are fever of greater than 101 degrees, sudden severe headache, mental changes, neck and back soreness and a rash on any part of the body.

Besides the vaccine, which will cost about $75, Ernat said the best prevention was to wash hands with soap and water and get proper rest and nutrition.

"Generally, keep yourself in a better state of health," she said.

Further information is available from Ernat at 223-8265.

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