This variant form is contracted through exchange of body fluids and infections where the bacteria enter the bloodstream. The symptoms of this illness are cold symptoms for the first 1 to 2 days of infection, followed by severe headache, stiffness in the neck, vomiting, a rash, and finally coma. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to examine the CSF must be performed for diagnosis. Cloudy CSF with a high white blood cell count along with the symptoms indicates the presence of m. meningitis. Treatment for infectedpersons consist of antibiotics and either surgery or blood transfusions if the case is severe enough.
Prevention is limited to chemoprophylaxis or active immunization.
If exposed to someone infected with m. meningitis, a patient can be treated with rifampin for 4 to 5 days to avoid a full blown infection. As students, we should all be aware of the dangers of disease on grounds. As pre-medical students, we should be even more cognizant of the symptoms and causes of these diseases. With UVa providing such a fertile breeding ground for disease, informed and observant students help keep our community safe from these invisible assailants.