College Students and Meningitis

Young adults often come home from college with many things: new friends, newfound confidence, a new education, and lots of dirty laundry. But the last thing you want to return home with is meningitis. Each year, about 100 college students come down with meningitis and about 15 die from the disease.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain, acccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, the CDC says.

Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, can be life-threatening. Before the introduction of protective vaccines in the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis; these days, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the most common culprits.

Because of close contact with peers and/or cramped living quarters, college students are at increased risk for developing meningitis. In fact, cases among teens and young adults have more than doubled since 1991. According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. meningitis cases, and approximately 70 to 80 percent of these cases are potentially vaccine-preventable.

For this reason, the meningococcal vaccination is recommended for all adolescents 11 to 18 years of age. The ACHA further urges all college students under 25 years of age to receive the vaccine to reduce their risk.

In addition, talk to your doctor about ways to prevent meningitis, and educate your teen about the following preventative dos and don'ts:

• Do eat a well-balanced diet, be physically active, and get plenty of sleep.
• Do wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do inform your doctor immediately if you've been in close contact with someone who has meningitis (your doctor may prescribe antibiotics).
• Don't share drinking glasses, utensils, water bottles, or food.
• Don't share cosmetics, towels, or tissues.
• Don't smoke cigarettes, take drugs, or consume alcohol.