Meningitis Advisory for Penn (U of Pennsylvania)

[exlurker]

Penn (U of Pennsylvania) has issued an advisory about the apparent meningitis outbreak. It's been widely publicized in the Philadelphia media, but I just wanted to mention it here to alert any students / parents / advisors who haven't already heard or seen it:

It's at
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/health_advisory_215.php

Please notice the relevance to Greeks at Penn:

"Any students who attended fraternity or sorority events since February 2 should seek preventative antibiotic treatment.

Even those who have had a previous vaccination for meningococcal disease should receive preventative antibiotic treatment.
There is no need for anyone who has received preventative antibiotic treatment since Thursday, February 12 to repeat treatment.
Some common early symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, and sensitivity to bright light, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash and lethargy. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see a physician or visit the Emergency Room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at 34th and Spruce Streets immediately.

Special clinics will be available as follows:

Sunday, February 15 12pm-3pm
Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street

Monday, February 16 11am-3pm
Student Health Service, 3535 Market Street"

For any future updates, please refer to the Student Health Service website at: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/.

Stay safe and healthy, people!

[preciousjeni]

Scary!!!

[EagleChick19]

I live in the Philadelphia area, and have seen this story in the news. They have said that 3 students from the university been hospitalized for the disease, and 1 is in critical condition!

Here's an update to the story: http://cbs3.com/local/University.of.....2.934282.html

[AOII Angel]

It is scary....people can die very quickly from meningococcal meningitis. A little girl I used to baby sit got it during her freshman year. She's lucky that her mom is a nurse and got worried when she didn't return her call. She'd been having vague "flu-like" symptoms. Her mom found her unconscious in her room. She was in the hospital for weeks, had some neuro issues but didn't loose any limbs.

Prophylaxis is easy and saves lives. Even better, get vaccinated if you can find it!!

[twinkle555]

Definitely get vaccinated.. we had a really sweet DG pass last fall because of meningitis. Id be really scared if I were a Penn greek right now!!

[joliebelle]

I thought most college students had to be vaccinated for meningitis before they are allowed to matriculate?
I know I had to have mine and I go to a small school...I can't imagine the effects at a school like Penn

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by joliebelle

I thought most college students had to be vaccinated for meningitis before they are allowed to matriculate?
I know I had to have mine and I go to a small school...I can't imagine the effects at a school like Penn

It is required at my school if you live on campus....I'm not sure about commuters. However, if you do have some legit reason to not get it, you can have the requirement waived. I know one of my friends is allergic to something in the vaccine and didn't have to get it.

[preciousjeni]

They're recommending treatment even for those who had been vaccinated.

Originally Posted by exlurker

Even those who have had a previous vaccination for meningococcal disease should receive preventative antibiotic treatment.

[cuteASAbug]

There are multiple strains of meningitis. The vaccine doesn't protect against all of them.

[joliebelle]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

They're recommending treatment even for those who had been vaccinated.

I understand that, but for some reason I was thinking that it wasn't mandatory for all students

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

There are multiple strains of meningitis. The vaccine doesn't protect against all of them.

I didn't know that...the more you know

[phisiglindsey]

We had a student die on our campus from meningitis and we were advised to seek medical treatment. I went in to our health services and they had us take pills. It took all of 5 minutes, but 5 minutes that may have saved me from getting meningitis.