Possible case of bacterial meningitis reported at WSU

A student at Washington State University was hospitalized Wednesday by a possible case of bacterial meningitis and has been ill with flu-like symptoms for an estimated two to three days, according to a news release from the university.

The student, a 19-year-old male, lives in Stephenson South Residence Hall. He probably caught the infection over the weekend and was taken to a Spokane hospital for treatment, the release says.

According to Dennis Garcia, director of WSU Health and Wellness Services, symptoms of meningitis include high fever, headaches and a stiff neck. These symptoms can develop in a matter of hours but sometimes don't develop until one or two days after infection. Other symptoms sometimes include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness.

WSU spokesman Darin Watkins said the student estimated there were only a handful of people with whom he'd been in close contact with him over the past few days, including his roommates, his girlfriend and a few friends.

Meningitis "isn't something you can catch in the library or next to someone in class," Watkins said. Those who may be infected probably include only those who have kissed, shared drinks or food utensils with or lived in proximity with the infected student in the past 10 days.

Whitman County Public Health officials have contacted people the student thought might be at risk and advised them to undergo antibiotic treatment to prevent the bacteria from spreading further.

Since the end of classes is near, and many students went home not long ago, there are many people from whom the student could have caught meningitis.

"He could have picked it up where he's from, from Thanksgiving, from the dorms," Watkins said.

Jill Kimball: 206-464-2108 or jkimball@seattletimes.com