College is supposed to be a safe environment for learning and personal growth. But it seems in the last few weeks campuses have turned into a festering petri dish of germs and bacteria, where diseases run rampant.
 

First, the norovirus invaded Georgetown. Then, a mystery illness took over the University of Southern California. Now, James Madison University is facing its own infectious monster… bacterial meningitis. While the meningitis has only affected on student so far and is not as easily transmitted as the other viruses, its danger factor makes it all the more alarming. A freshman, Taylor Rash, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis this week.
 

Meningitis is an infection of the fluids in the spinal cord and surrounding the brain caused by either bacteria or a virus, and is about as pleasant as it sounds. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash, and sore throat. Bacterial meningitis, the more severe type, is transmitted through the direct exchange of nose and throat secretions, so you might want to take inventory on who you’ve made out with lately.
 

Still, it’s not time to panic yet. So far Rash is the only one affected and is receiving treatment at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. JMU’s The Breeze has the school’s official response:

“While meningitis can be a very serious illness, the university community should be assured that all measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the infection,” said Marsha Mays-Bernard, associate vice president for student affairs, responsible for student health. “JMU is coordinating with local health officials to ensure a safe campus environment.”

The statement also read: “The University Health Center, Rockingham Memorial Hospital and the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Health Department are working collaboratively to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient. Those individuals will be notified directly by one of the above agencies and will be informed of their treatment options. If you have been in direct contact with Taylor Rash since October 5, 2008, please contact the JMU Health Center at 540-568-6178. The remainder of the university community is unlikely to be at any risk for infection, Mays-Bernard said.”

So stay calm, stay clean and stay out of trouble, JMU.