A string of student deaths and hospitalizations at two state universities have led some health experts to speculate on whether a meningitis epidemic may be in the making.
Last week an Eastern Michigan University student died of meningococcal meningitis, that she contracted at her home in Ohio while on spring break.
Since December, two Michigan State University students have died of the disease which they contracted on the East Lansing campus, and others have been hospitalized.
The sudden outbreak of this rare disease suggests a link between the cases, but doctors say the victims caught a different strand of the agent bacteria, indicating that the cases are isolated.
Dr. Sid Gilman, chair and professor in the University's department of neurosurgery, said he is concerned about an epidemic developing, affecting mostly young people.
"Meningococcal meningitis tends to travel in epidemics and particularly affects children and young adults," Gilman said.
Dr. Caesar Briefer, director of the University Health Service, said the meningitis cases do not constitute an epidemic.
"People should know that this is not an epidemic, and that this disease, although it can be very deadly, pops up sporadically from time to time," Briefer said. "We really can't tell why it happens."
No University of Michigan students have reported contracting the disease, although some students received antibiotic treatment at UHS after being in contact with Michigan State students, Briefer said.
"Fortunately, we haven't had any cases of bacterial meningitis on this campus," Briefer said.
Briefer said the last case of meningitis at the University occurred two years ago, leading to one student's hospitalization.
Although none of the cases at Eastern Michigan and Michigan State were related, the disease can spread rapidly by oral and physical contact.
Gilman said he worries that if students contract the disease, they might not seek treatment until it's too late.
"My concern is that it may go undetected," Gilman said. "The person that has the disease may only think they have the flu and delay treatment."
Gilman urged that in light of the recent cases, anyone who suffers from flu-like symptoms should see a physician immediately, and be tested for the disease.
The onset of symptoms is sudden for meningitis. The disease can be fatal within a few days of contracting it. Major symptoms include vomiting, fever, severe headaches, a stiff neck and back pain.
LSA junior Tal Sapeika said she is frightened by the rapid progression of the disease, which can be treated, but only if detected early.
"By the time you realize you're sick, you could be dead," she said.
Meningitis causes inflammation of the meninges - the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted by fungi, viruses and bacteria, by which the most severe cases occur.
LSA senior Kate Glickman said she wouldn't consider flu-like symptoms to be lethal. "I would probably ignore the symptoms until I was writhing in pain."