Meningococcal Disease

The information below is provided by the American College Health Association (ACHA) with minor changes and added specifics for Sul Ross State University students.

1. What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection, and most commonly leads to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.

2. Who is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?

3. How many college students are affected by meningococcal disease?

Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.

4. How is meningococcal disease spread?

Meningococcal disease is spread person-to-person through the air by respiratory droplets (e.g., coughing, sneezing). The bacteria also can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, such as oral contact with shared items like cigarettes or drinking glasses, and through kissing.

5. What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

Symptoms of meningococcal disease often resemble those of the flu or other minor febrile illnesses making it sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash or purple patches on skin, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, confusion, sleepiness, sensitivity to light and/or seizure activity.

Students who notice these symptoms in themselves, friends or others should contact their college health service or hospital immediately.

6. What are the complications of meningococcal disease?

If not treated early, meningococcal disease can lead to death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead) or permanent disabilities. One in five of those who survive will suffer long-term side effects such as coma, brain damage, hearing loss, blindness, seizures, kidney damage or limb amputation.

7. Should I be vaccinated?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) recommend vaccination for the following:

• All first-year students living in residence halls
• Undergraduate students 25 years of age or younger
• Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy, immuno-suppressants)

8. How effective is vaccination?

The meningococcal vaccine provides protection against four of the five types of N. meningitidis bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in the United States, types A, C, Y and W-135. In persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially vaccine-preventable strains. The vaccine is safe and effective, and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent.

9. Where can Sul Ross students go to be vaccinated?

Meningococcal vaccination is available at the Alpine Medical Center, 202 North 2nd Street, phone: (432) 837-5505. Contact the center in advance as they must order each dose. Payment is made at the time of request. Students will be notified when their vaccine arrives.

10. What is the cost of the meningococcal vaccine?

The Alpine Medical Center charges $110 for the vaccine. All first-year students living in residence halls and any other college student under 25 years of age are strongly recommended to be vaccinated.

11. Whom can students and parents contact for additional information?

Go to the American College Health Association or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web sites to learn more about meningococcal disease. You may also contact student health services at (432) 837-8102, e-mail health@sulross.edu or the Texas Department of State Health Services at (432) 837-3877 / 5571.

This information is provided to new students as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Education Code section 51.9191.