APSU Student Treated For Bacterial Meningitis

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Austin Peay State University officials said a student has been hospitalized for bacterial meningitis.

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Melony Jones, a university spokeswoman, said the student was taken to a hospital Thursday, but his condition Friday was not released.

Jones said it was not clear whether the student lived on campus, but students and teachers in his classes were being notified.

University leaders also would not say which classes the sick student takes or what buildings he would have been in, but said that proper precautions are being taken.

A campus-wide e-mail was also sent out to give details about the disease. The university is also offering free antibiotics at the clinic on campus.

“Bacterial meningitis, unlike, you know, the viral meningitis, is a lot harder to get over, because usually viral meningitis just runs its course, and bacterial meningitis is extremely, extremely dangerous and extremely contagious,” said Cody Coulter.

Meningitis is an infection of fluid in the spinal cord and brain. High fever, headache and stiff neck are common symptoms that can start within hours or days of contracting the disease. Its bacterial form is considered more serious than its viral form.