Students Increased Risk From Meningtitis

As millions of students across the UK and U.S leave for University in September, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests students in halls of accommodation may be at greater risk from meningococcal infection. 22.5 percent of meningitis infections in the student age group were fatal, compared to 4.6 percent in younger age groups.

Meningococcal infection can be transferred by respiratory droplets in the air, or by direct contact such as sharing cigarettes, drinking glasses and cutlery, or by kissing. Some experts believe heavy drinking, smoking and spending more time in bars could cause students to be at greater risk of infection.

Dr Lee Harrison of John Hopkins School of Public health, Maryland stated: "We found that adolescents and young adults accounted for a relatively high proportion of all cases of meningococcal meningitis, and that infection in this age group lead to death more often than expected".

Some UK universities are recommending that all new students are vaccinated against meningitis before starting the academic year.

Monday, 10 September 2001