Fort Hays State University
Meningitis Information

June 30, 2005
Dear FHSU Student:

This letter is being sent to you to provide you with information regarding two very serious diseases – meningitis and a blood infection called meningococcemia, which are both caused by the bacteria Neisseria Meningitidis. These diseases, while not common, can have potentially rapidly fatal outcomes. College students are at increased risk for this disease (1 out of 20,000, rather than 1 out of 100,000 for the population at large) because of living in group housing. Some studies have shown an increased risk of infection with smoking, increased alcohol consumption and bar patronage.

Early symptoms associated with these diseases include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting and lethargy and often resemble the flu. Because the disease progresses rapidly, often in as little as 12 hours, students are urged to seek medical care immediately, especially if you experience two or more symptoms at the same time. Of those who contract the infection, 10-15% will die and 10% will be left with a significant infection such as mental retardation, limb loss or hearing loss.

A safe vaccine is available to you which may prevent up to 85% of the known serotypes of meningitis. Protection is expected to be long lasting, but the exact duration of protection is not yet known. Side effects of the vaccine are usually mild and consist of redness and swelling at the injection site and/or muscle aches.

Fort Hays State University is requiring that all students living in University Housing or Greek Housing receive this vaccination. If you do not receive it and do not provide documentation of current immunization status, you must sign a waiver which states you have been informed of the risks and choose not to be immunized. This will become part of your permanent health record kept at the Student Health Center. The cost of the vaccine is $85.00, including the visit. You may also receive your vaccine through your personal medical provider. Please have him/her give you documentation that you have received the vaccine, so you can bring it with you in August.

Please call the Student Health Center at 785-628-4293 or e-mail dakoerne@fhsu.edu or abasgall@fhsu.edu if you have questions or to reserve a dose. Vaccinations will be given on “Move In Day” for the residence halls (August 18, 2005--10 a.m.) from 1-3:30 p.m. They also will be available at the Student Health Center, which is temporarily located on 2nd floor of Wiest Hall. Please share this information with your parents or guardian. We are enclosing a copy of the vaccination reservation form and the waiver for your convenience.

Sincerely,
Patti Scott MSN, ARNP
Director, Student Health Center