Following the death of a 19-year-old music major Wednesday afternoon from what
might be meningitis, Linda Hancock, director of VCU’s Office of Health Promotion,
said students with questions or concerns should go to University Student Health
Services.
“Bacterial meningitis is very rare, but it can have very serious consequences. So
you have to be careful,” Hancock said.
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal
cord. Symptoms of meningitis develop quickly and include high fever, neck stiffness,
light sensitivity and severe headaches.
The cause of death for the sophomore, who lived off campus, has yet to be
officially released.
Hancock said the student collapsed suddenly, was rushed to The VCU Medical
Center and was pronounced dead. The medical investigation has been turned over
to the state medical examiner, she said.
VCU President Eugene P. Trani sent an e-mail Oct. 25 to students and faculty
stating that VCU was offering a free antibiotic for bacterial meningitis until Oct.
28 at the student parlors of the Sports Medicine Building.
“I want to emphasize that health experts indicate that the risk of infection after
exposure to bacterial meningitis is extremely small,” Trani said in his letter to the
VCU community.
Hancock said bacterial meningitis can only be spread through the exchange of
saliva from an infected person.
The university’s music department held an assembly for its students, warning
them about the incident and informing them about the medication being offered.
John Guthmiller, chair of the music department, said the majority of music
students and the music department staff attended the assembly.
“We wanted to get the message to everyone in the department at the same time
and as soon as possible,” Guthmiller said. “We also wanted to acknowledge the
loss of a student who was a friend and colleague to many of us.”
By late Thursday, 122 students had sought preventative treatment at University
Student Health Services, said Pam Lettey, a spokeswoman from the Office of the
President.
An information sheet on meningitis can be found on the University Student
Health Services Web site at students.vcu.edu/health.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
-from meningitis.org
University Student Health Services is housed within
the Sports Medicine Building at 1300 W. Broad St.