Information about Meningitis

Queens College Health Service Center is monitoring information provided by the Center for Disease Control concerning the situation at Princeton University where 8 students have contracted bacterial meningitis since March 2013. Outbreaks of meningitis at one campus rarely travel to the surrounding community, which is why the CDC believes students travelling home for the holidays pose little risk. In an effort to keep our campus healthy and safe, we are providing the following information about the disease.

What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord by certain viruses and bacteria, and by non-infectious agents. All of the Princeton students had a blood infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides.

What are the signs and symptoms?

There are many signs of meningitis, including: sudden fever, feeling very sleepy severe headache, nausea/vomiting, double vision, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, a stiff neck or a rash.

Depending on the cause of the infection, meningitis can get better on its own in a couple of weeks — or it can be a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.

If you suspect that you or someone in your family has meningitis, seek medical care right away. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis can prevent serious complications.

How do people contract bacterial meningitis?
The risk of infection is limited to those who have been in direct contact with infected individuals through household or intimate contact. These specific activities have been associated with the spread of these bacteria by:

  • Kissing
  • Sharing eating utensils or food
  • Sharing drinks or cigarettes
  • Uncovered face-to-face sneezing and coughing

It is important to note that casual contact activities, like being in the same classroom or office with a sick person, are generally not associated with the spread of these two bacteria.

Is there a vaccine against this infection?

There are two available vaccines in the United States to prevent bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitides. TheMeningococcal vaccine helps prevent infection caused by specific “serogroups” of N. meningitidis: A, C, Y, and W-135. It does not prevent infection with serogroup B, which has been shown to be the cause in the majority of Princeton cases. Any student interested in receiving the meningitis vaccine should contact their healthcare provider.

Risk Factors:

 Not having the recommended childhood or adult vaccinations for meningitis.

 Age: Most cases occur in children younger than age 5 and people under 20, especially those living in community settings.

Compromised immune system. Factors that may compromise your immune system — including AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes and use of immunosuppressant drugs — also make you more susceptible to meningitis.

Where can I get more information?
The following links provide additional helpful information:

  • Princeton outbreak:
  • CDC Updates:
  • General information: