Dorm freshmen at highest meningitis risk, CDC says

June 1, 1999
Web posted at: 12:34 p.m. EDT (1634 GMT)

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) -- College freshmen living in dormitories have a more than six times greater risk of bacterial meningitis than other college students, according to a new national study released Tuesday.

The findings were reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the annual meeting of the American College Health Association (ACHA).

Bacterial meningitis inflames the tissue and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal canal and causes flu-like symptoms -- headache, stiff neck and fever.

The study results are similar to those reported in last week's Journal of the American Medical Association, which found students living on campus were more likely to contract the meningococcal infection, a major cause of bacterial meningitis, than those living off campus.

"Our data indicate college students and their parents should be educated about the signs and symptoms of the disease and to seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms are experienced," said Dr. Nancy Rosenstein of the CDC, "and that there is an effective vaccine available."

The ACHA recommends all college students consider getting the meningococcal immunization to reduce their risk of infection. The vaccine is 85 percent effective against four strains of meningitis, which account for about 70 percent of cases in college-age students. It costs about $60.

Meningitis symptoms can come on quickly, and up to 10 percent of patients die within days of developing the disease. Other patients may experience organ or brain damage and loss of limbs.

Meningitis outbreaks usually occur in late winter or early spring, when college is in session.

"There's been about a 50 percent increase (in cases of college meningitis) since the early 1990s. We're not exactly sure why it's increasing," said Dr. James Turner of ACHA.

A study expected this fall should provide information on particular conditions and behaviors that put students at risk.