The UF Student Health Care Center received concerned inquiries from students and parents regarding vaccination for bacterial meningitis, a rare but deadly disease, following the death of a University of South Florida student.
Rachel Futterman, a 19-year-old USF student, died Sept. 24 after falling ill two days earlier from a suspected bacterial meningitis infection.
Bacterial meningitis, also known as meningococcal meningitis or spinal meningitis, is the infection of the spinal cord fluid that surrounds the brain.
"Any time you have a 19-year-old student die from something that could have been prevented, people are going to be concerned about it," said Diane Pecora, Registered Nurse specialist in immunizations and dermatology at the SHCC.
According to Pecora, all of the Florida universities have been in constant communication regarding the recent events. USF is trying to find anyone that was in direct contact with Futterman. They will be given an antibiotic, like Ciprofloxacin, to guard against infection.
Four cases of bacterial meningitis have been reported at UF since 1994, of which two students died.
College students are more susceptible to the disease due to their close living quarters in dorms and sorority or fraternity housing, Pecora said.
"Some colleges in Florida only require students in dorms to get the vaccination," she said. "UF took the extra step and required all incoming students to get the vaccine."
UF chose to adopt the policy of required immunization in February 2003, but according to the care center, about half of the students at UF have not received the vaccination.
This is due to the ease with which a student or parent can sign a waiver on the immunization form indicating they have read the information concerning the vaccine and decline it, Pecora said.
Five different types of bacteria can cause the infection, and the current vaccination covers four of the five bacteria.
Bacterial meningitis can be treated with drugs like penicillin, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 10 people that get the disease dies.
Infection may also result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability.
The disease is spread through salival contact, such as kissing, sharing cigarettes or sharing a drink.
The student lifestyle can break down the immune system, making students more susceptible to disease and illness in general, Pecora said.
"You really have to rest when you're tired, eat when you're hungry and drink plenty of nonalcoholic beverages," Pecora said. "Some people just go to bed thinking they will sleep it off, and then they never wake up."
Successful recovery depends on how quickly the disease is recognized. This is often difficult since symptoms can be confused with those related to the common flu, including fever and headache.
The vaccination, Menactra, is available at the SHCC on campus for ,126. The vaccination's effect will last from eight to 10 years.
"Most students don't get a booster unless they are traveling to a high risk area, such as somewhere in Africa," Pecora said.
The immunization clinic is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Monday though Thursday from 1 p.m to 4:30 p.m.
