ETSU will be sponsoring meningitis immunizations today from 1-7 p.m. in the Culp Center Ballroom.
Meningitis is a severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord that can possibly lead to death.
According to the American College Health Association Report, it is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningitis occur every year on college campuses across the nation. As a result of this, five to 15 students will die.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), college freshmen that live in dorms are six times more likely to get meningitis than other college students.
It is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with an infected person. It could be passed along through a cough or sharing an item such as a drink or a cigarette with an infected person.
Oral contact such as kissing also puts the student at risk.
The most common early symptoms are very similar to those associated with the flu. They include headache, fever, a stiff neck, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Some people could also develop a purplish black-red rash on their arms and legs.
It is not likely that a person will develop all the symptoms.
However, having a fever and at least one other symptom could mean that a person has meningitis.
If symptoms are discovered, the person should seek medical attention immediately. The disease can get worse rapidly and kill a healthy young adult in 48 hours or less.
There is more than one type of meningitis. A more common type is viral meningitis. This is rarely fatal to people with normal immune systems.
The vaccine being administered fights against bacterial meningitis.
According to Amy Kaplan, director of ETSU Student Health Services, there has not been an actual case of meningitis on ETSU’s campus in a very long time.
“It’s not a very common occurrence,” she said.
However, Kaplan feels that this is something that students should be concerned about.
“This is a way to get it directly to the students with the least hassle for them,” she said.
IVaccess, the company administering the vaccine, works closely with many other universities according to Kaplan.
“This company is very experienced. We’ve had them before,” Kaplan said, “They’re very reliable.”
The $85 charge for the vaccine has a few students grimacing. However, Kaplan said that they will not find the vaccine cheaper anywhere else.
According to Kaplan, getting this immunization saves the student time and money.
He or she can get the vaccine now instead of having to go through the process of getting a prescription filled.
It also allows ETSU to reach many students at one time.
“We can’t keep enough vaccine here,” said Kaplan.
Kaplan also said that the immunization will normally cover a student’s college years. If it has been more than five years since receiving the vaccine, he or she should ask if another is needed.
The immunization is a one-day only event. Vaccess professionals will be in the Culp Center ballroom until 7 p.m.

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