<p>This is on the University's website under "Important Health Message": </p>
<p>Health Message
Based on a preliminary examination, Washington University in St. Louis and local public health officials have been notified that a Danforth Campus student living in the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity chapter house may have contracted meningococcal meningitis, which is considered contagious to those who had close contact with the student.</p>
<p>His housemates and other members of the campus community who have been in close contact with him in the last 10 days are being notified and provided preventive medical treatment at the Universitys Habif Health and Wellness Center</p>
<p>(there is more to the message, but thought I would post this info here for anyone who did not get the alert and might need to know)</p>
<p>Don’t the large majority of colleges require meningitis vaccinations before students attend? Or am I mistaken?
Thanks for the message, by the way.</p>
<p>Also, I’m fairly certain that many colleges are legally required to inform and you to get vaccinated before enrollment. You have to sign an acknowledgement form if you choose not to get the vaccine.</p>
<p>I think I know there’s one building I won’t be visiting when I visit again hopefully the student is ok though… im vaccinated as well, thankfully. had to for summer camp.</p>
<p>Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, which surround the brain and spinal cord. Both the bacterial and viral variations can be deadly, but the viral type is generally more dangerous because our ability to combat viruses via medicine is mediocre compared to our ability to combat bacteria. Regardless, the best option in both cases is to get vaccinated.</p>
<p>Defusee- it is mandatory to get vaccinated. Personally, I’m super glad I’m vaccinated myself. There are several people on my floor who are pledging AEPi.</p>
<p>However, there’s debate over how effective it really is.
Also, it’s really not that difficult to get around health requirements at schools (at WashU or anywhere)- you just have to claim religious or personal reasons against vaccinations.</p>
<p>SwearToScience - Actually, bacterial meningitis is viewed as the most dangerous. It is more likely to be fatal very quickly in comparison to viral.</p>
<p>The meningitis vaccination only helps against certain types of the bacteria - I forgot what estimated percentage. Do not assume that you are in the clear just because you have had a vaccination.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought, that the bacterial kind was much more severe. Something like a 20% mortality rate in college-aged kids. That’s like…the chances of getting in to Wash U…</p>
<p>Wash U does require the vaccination, but it is not 100% effective for all types of bacterial infections which my cause meningitis and students can opt out for a variety of reasons. While the vaccination is critical - it is no guarantee. The University has been very responsible in terms of communication, preventive antibiotics for those who could be at risk, cleaning the fraternity to be sure that the infection will not spread. </p>
<p>Don’t forget, Wash U students just returned from Spring Break…who knows where this was originally contracted. Other colleges (including Penn) have had problems with this infection. </p>
<p>As a last note, the bacterial is more serious than the viral.</p>
hopefully the student is ok though… im vaccinated as well, thankfully. had to for summer camp.</p>