Why should college students be concerned about meningococcal disease?
According to the American College Health Association, meningococcal meningitis strikes about 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 300 deaths annually. It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur each year on college campuses and five to fifteen students die as a result. Meningococcal meningitis disease includes two forms of bacterial infection that may occur separately or together. Meningitis infects the tissue surrounding the spinal cord and brain causing swelling, while meningococcemia causes bacteria to enter the bloodstream, invading the body’s organs.
