Published: January 31, 2008 01:35 am      

FSU student diagnosed with probable case of viral meningitis

Not considered to be public health threat

FAIRMONT — A student at Fairmont State has been diagnosed with probable viral meningitis.

FSU spokeswoman Amy Pellegrin announced the university was notified by the county health department Wednesday afternoon.

The student is a resident at Pence Hall. Because of health privacy laws, no other information about the student is being released, she said.

“Viral meningitis is not considered to be a public health threat,” Pellegrin said. “We do not believe that there is an elevated risk of infection to anyone on campus.”

Lloyd White, Marion County Health Department administrator, said there’s a 97 percent chance the student’s meningitis is not bacterial, the more serious version of the illness. The “probable” diagnosis is determined when officials are nearly positive of the diagnosis, White said.

“When we see the way the tests are leaning, we say it’s ‘probable,’” White said.

A positive diagnosis of viral meningitis is expected today, he said.

A public health alert is released in cases when the public needs to be notified of a concern, he said.

“Public health is all about prevention,” White said.

This is the second Pence Hall resident in a year to be diagnosed with the illness. Last April, a student was diagnosed with viral meningitis.

The university held a residence hall meeting to inform students of the situation and answer any questions they may have. Letters were sent home to the parents or guardians of students living at Pence Hall, Pellegrin said. An e-mail was also sent to every student, faculty and staff member on campus, she said.

The same procedures are being followed in this instance.

The e-mail sent to students includes symptoms of and a fact sheet on viral meningitis. Students who believe they have symptoms of viral meningitis should contact Yolanda Kirchartz, director of student health services, at 367-4399 or visit the health services center on the third floor of the Falcon Center.

Viral meningitis is much different and more common than bacterial meningitis, which can be extremely serious. Viral meningitis is a relatively common, but rarely serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

The illness usually lasts less than 10 days, and people usually recover completely without complications. Symptoms of viral meningitis are fever, headache, stiff neck and tiredness. Rash, sore throat and vomiting can also occur.

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.