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Most UI students not
at risk for rare infection
A University of Idaho student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis was released from the hospital Monday.
Nick Biggs, a freshman studying civil engineering, was taken to Gritman Medical Center Wednesday by members of his fraternity, Kappa Sigma. After being suspected of having bacterial meningitis, Biggs was airlifted to Boise. Tests by the North Central District Health Department confirmed the illness Friday. UI has not received any other reports of infections of the illness among its student body, according to Bruce Pitman, vice provost of Student Affairs.
According to Nicky Rader, a registered nurse in the Student Health Center, meningitis is very rare, with only 10-20 cases in Idaho each year. UI was encouraging students who had been in close contact with Biggs to go to Student Health for treatment. Wednesday and Thursday the center saw around 50 students who were concerned about the illness, Rader said, and some students and parents have called this week.
“Parents know how potentially serious this particular infection is and they have read about it in the media and simply want to know what the resources are,” Pitman said. Pitman sent out a newsletter to parents Monday updating them on the situation.
Pitman said the Student Affairs office and Dr. Rami Dir of Student Health extend their thanks to the members of Kappa Sigma for their help with the student and notifying students who may have been exposed.
“(Kappa Sigma) recognized the student’s dire situation and got medical help immediately,” Pitman said. “(They also helped) the medical staff manage who needed to come in and identifying who needed to come in for examination and for antibiotics.”
For most students, the risk of exposure has probably past, she said. While the disease can have an incubation period from two to 10 days after exposure, it usually manifests itself within three or four days, she said. Therefore, most students who have been exposed to the illness should already know.
“The important thing to know is for people who are concerned about getting infected now, … three to four days after exposure is the highest risk. That time has passed,” Rader said.
Meningitis is passed through close contact with a patient. Those most at risk are household members and anyone who shared saliva with the patient, such as through eating, sharing cigarettes or drinks or kissing, according to the NCDHD.
“Sitting in a classroom does not equal close exposure,” said Donna Anderson, staff epidemiologist at NCDHD, so most students should not be concerned.
Students who were exposed were given the option of taking an antibiotic treatment to get rid of the bacteria. Symptoms of meningitis can be mistaken for the flu and include fever, severe headaches, chills, stiff neck and joins, confusion, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain.
For students concerned about future exposure to the illness, Student Health does have a meningitis vaccine available, but it does not help people who have already been exposed, Rader said. The vaccine takes six weeks to two months to become effective. The cost for the vaccine is $126.
To help prevent the spread of all illness, NCDHD is encouraging students to practice good hygiene by covering both the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and washing hands often. Students should avoid sharing drinks and eating utensils.
Pitman encourages students to pay attention to the health information being published about meningitis and seek medical attention of they feel they have the symptoms.
Students who are still concerned about the illness can contact Student Health at 885-6693. More information about meningitis can be found at www.uihome.uidaho.edu/uihome/emergency_bacterial_meningitis.aspx.
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