| New Meningococcal legislation affects college enrollment
Effective January 1, 2010, a new Texas state law requires first time and transfer students enrolling in college and entering on-campus housing to show proof of having the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to residency. Meningococcal Meningitis disease is a serious illness which is fatal in 1 out of every ten people who get the disease. It is the leading cause of meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings, in children in the United States. Those who survive the disease may still be left with serious life-long health problems and disabilities. Meningitis is a disease that progresses rapidly going from perfect health to death in 8 - 24 hrs. Research suggests that college students 25 years old or younger may be more susceptible to the disease due in part to lifestyle behaviors common among many college students. College freshmen, particularly those who live in dormitories, have twice the risk of getting meningococcal disease. Getting Meningococcal vaccine is much safer than getting the disease and protection lasts 10 years with the new vaccine Menactra. This vaccine is available to all students over 11 years of age. All colleges are required by the CDC to notify students of the disease and its prevention through immunization. Many other states besides Texas are starting to require the immunization for freshman and transfer students who reside on campus.
Symptoms of meningitis include: high fever, rash or purple patches on skin, light sensitivity, confusion and sleepiness, lethargy, severe headaches, vomiting, stiff neck, nausea and seizures. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.
Consequences of the disease include Death, permanent brain damage, kidney failure, learning disability, hearing loss, blindness, limb damage that requires amputation, gangrene, coma and convulsions. |