Staying healthy curbs meningitis
- posted: 04 Oct. 2007
- scrollspecial@byui.edu
The diet consists of Top Ramen and huge bags of Malt O’ Meal cereal with those thrice-weekly treks to the Thomas E. Ricks Building considered to be sufficient exercise, one can be found in the very same boat as other students.
College life isn’t exactly a dream for the immune system. Stress and a lack of sleep without exercise and proper nutrition can lower the body’s defenses and result in a high rate of illness — even for people who are normally healthy.
A few extra cases of the sniffles may not seem like a reason to turn down the treat offered at Home Evening or go to bed before curfew. But sometimes the same factors that contribute to colds and headaches can make it harder for the body to fight off serious health problems.
One such ailment is meningococcal disease, more commonly known as meningitis. Though rare, it is highly deadly, often causing death within a few days of symptom’s appearance.
Its rate of occurrence is almost six times greater among college students, particularly freshmen living in dormitories, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Because the disease is spread through droplets in the air, crowded conditions and frequent contact between people, this can put college students at greater risk.
There are two types of meningitis. The most common is the viral meningitis, which doesn’t cause serious illness, according to www.webmd.com.
The second type, bacterial meningitis, is less common, but more serious and can cause death or brain damage.
These two types have the same symptoms so it’s more difficult to know which is which. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible, according to www.webmd.com
Students concerned about this possibility can receive a meningococcal vaccine, which is up to 83 percent effective in preventing the infection. 
