|
Sept. 18, 2002--For the past several years, Dr. E.F. Joseph Siebold, director of the Student Health Service, has been actively working to inform UD students and their parents about meningococcal disease and the nationwide push to require vaccinations against this serious illness. Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious invasive bacterial infection that causes an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
A 2001 Delaware law requires all students admitted to UD to be informed about meningococccal meningitis and the availability and benefits of vaccination. According to Dr. Siebold, newly admitted students must choose to be vaccinated for meningococcal meningitis or sign a waiver and return it with their required health history and immunization forms.
Information about the bacterial disease, which can kill or cause serious complications, was provided at all DelaWorld sessions for new students and their parents this summer. “Parents were alerted about the increased incidence of this disease among college students,” Dr. Siebold says, adding that between September 1998 and August 1999, there were 96 cases of meningococcal disease detected in college students nationally. (In 2000, a UD student was treated for bacterial meningitis and recovered.)
Dr. Siebold said that students can be vaccinated by their own physicians or receive the vaccine at the Student Health Center. Eight to 12 students came to the center to be vaccinated each day during DelaWorld.
“Some investigations suggest that the risk of contracting the disease is increased by lifestyle behaviors common for many college students, such as active and passive smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption,” Dr. Siebold said. “The disease is transmitted through the air via sneezing or coughing and direct contact with persons infected. Because freshman college students live in close quarters, such as residence halls or fraternity houses, they have an increased risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis.”
Outbreaks tend to peak in late winter and early spring but can occur any time school is in session. The Student Health Service provides the vaccine to UD students for $64, which can be paid by cash, check or UD-Flex or credit cards at the SHS dispensary in Laurel Hall.
Vaccinations are available by appointment from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Student Health Service at 831-4150.
|
