An 18-year-old SIUC student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis this weekend is doing well at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, an SIUC Student Health Service official says.

Dr. Mary M. Pohlmann, Chief of Staff at the Student Health Service, said she cannot release the student’s name because he did not allow its release. She said anyone who has spent a large amount of time with this student is at risk because even though bacterial meningitis is rare, it could kill someone if left untreated.

Pohlmann said the average amount of contact between students in a classroom situation should not cause concern, but the student’s roommates and suite mates have been treated with antibiotics as a preventive measure.

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Pohlmann said the student went to the SIUC Health Service on Friday with a fever of about 103 degrees Fahrenheit and excessive vomiting. She said he went to have further tests done at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale on Saturday but was transferred to Barnes Hospital where he is still a patient.

Pohlmann said she talked to the student’s doctor and he is doing well on antibiotics, but he could be there at least a week or maybe two.

It was real important that he got to the hospital, Pohlmann said.

Pohlmann said there are two types of meningitis; viral and bacterial.

She said bacterial meningitis requires hospital treatment.

It can potentially kill someone, she said.

Pohlmann said meningitis is a swelling of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. She said symptoms include high fever, headache vomiting, eye sensitivity to light, stiff neck and sometimes a rash. She said if anyone is suffering from these symptoms, they should seek medical help right away.

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Pohlmann said she does not know how the student got the bacterial meningitis, but it could have been from a healthy person. She said meningitis is spread by nasal droplets through coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing utensils, cups and cigarettes.

The bacteria can be in a healthy person’s nose and throat, Pohlmann said. But if your immune system is down and your stress level is up, it could get up into your brain.

Pohlmann said it is difficult for the bacteria to reach the brain, but it is possible.

She said from Jan. 1 until now, there have only been 92 cases of bacterial meningitis in Illinois, and this is the first time an SIUC student has contracted the disease in six or seven years.

Pohlmann said she is concerned about other cases cropping up while students are home on break. She said if other students get sick with bacterial meningitis, it is possible to trace where it came from.

SIUC students concerned about possible contact with meningitis should call the SIUC Health Service or Dial-A-Nurse at 536-5585 for more information. General questions about meningitis can be directed to the Jackson County Health Department.

SIUC students with symptoms should call the SIUC Health Service, Carbondale Clinic Urgent Care or Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for an appointment.