Family Life

02.16.09 | FL News Team

Three University of Pennsylvania students have been hospitalized in Pittsburgh after catching bacterial meningitis. School officials say the three students had contact through the fraternity and sorority system. So far, the conditions of the three have improved. Two other students hospitalized with flu-like symptoms are undergoing further evaluation, and it is not known whether they actually have the meningococcal infection.

Officials from the school say anyone who attended an event involved with a fraternity or sorority at Penn since February 2nd should see a doctor. The college will have another session of preventive treatment today at the student health service from 11 am until 3 pm, although classes and activities are scheduled to run as usual. Over the weekend, two thousand students recieved antibiotics to make sure they wouldn't catch the meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is a fatal infection involving the nervous system, whereas meningococcal is a bacterial infection within the blood stream. The common symptoms include fever, aversion to bright light, a stiff neck, nausea, rashes and low energy. Meningitis can spread from one person to another through kissing, sharing utensils and getting close to the infected individual.