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Another Meningitis Case Strikes Local College Campus

Pa. Student's Name Not Known

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 – updated: 8:20 am EDT May 10, 2005

Another local college student has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

West Virginia University is now trying to reach anyone who had close personal contact with the 18-year old student who came down with the illness last week.

The name of the student from Pennsylvania has not been released.

The student lived in Summit Hall and belonged to the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

A Slippery Rock University student was diagnosed with the illness last month.


What Is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the three thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

There are two types: bacterial and viral.

Viral meningitis is usually less severe and is usually treated with bed rest or over the counter medications.

Bacterial meningitis is more severe.

The infection can result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities and can be fatal if not treated properly.

Some symptoms include fever, neck and back pain, headache, confusion, sensitivity to light, seizures and nausea.

Allegheny County Health Department Web Site