Meningitis contracted at Pierce

Meningitis in both bacterial and viral form may start like any other head cold; however, the result of having one over the other is significant.

Catching the viral form of meningitis is 'like hitting the lottery ticket,' says Meg Kelly, a nurse in Health Center, and it is the less dangerous of the two.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services and CDC, meningitis is, "an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain."

There are many ways in which colleges and other institutes go about protecting their community members and preventing contagious epidemics from occurring. Before ever setting foot on Franklin Pierce campus, students must be vaccinated for the bacterial strand. If a student is, by chance, showing symptoms of the disease, the school contacts the Department of Health. The Health Department then contacts the emergency room to where the student(s) has been sent. Documentation of the illness and a spinal tap is taken in order to conclude suspicions. If the results are positive, the school is given direction and told who must be contacted and notified about the illness.

Often the school will notify staff and students about any illnesses occurring on campus. And instead of contributing to the 'rumor mill.'

The amount of students having meningitis on campus has been very limited. With that said, students are told not to worry. That, however, is not to say students should not be cautious. Simple measures pertaining to hygiene can prevent you catching a disease like meningitis, or worse! Avoid sharing drinks and cigarettes, and always wash your hands are good measures to take. All of these healthy reminders can prevent you from catching something nasty.

Health Services asks that you please contact them for more information. (Extension number 4130). If you have any questions about something you may have heard, do not hesitate to call or pay a visit.