This information is being provided to all new College students in the state of Texas. Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast – so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on College campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among College students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.
What Are the Syptoms?
- High fever
- Lethargy
- Stiff neck
- Rash or purple patches on skin
- Severe headache
- Nausea
- Light sensitivity
- Vomiting
- Seizures, Confusion and sleepiness
There may be a rash of tiny red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body.
The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention.
How is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?
- Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.
How is the Disease Transmitted?
- The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.
What are the Possible Consequences of the Disease?
- Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
- Gangrene
- Permanent brain damage
- Coma
- Kidney failure
- Convulsions
- Learning disability
- Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
- Hearing loss, blindness
Can the Disease be Treated?
- Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives, and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
- Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:
- Those living in close quarters.
- College students twenty-nine years old or younger.
- Vaccinations are effective against four of the five most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U. S (but do not protect against all types of meningitis)
- Vaccinations take seven-ten days to become effective, with protection lasting three-five years.
- The cost of vaccine varies so check with your health care provider.
- Vaccination is very safe – most common side effects are redness and minor pain at the injection site for up to two days.
- Vaccination may be available at your health care provider or local or regional Texas Department of Health office.
How Can I Find Out More Information?
- Contact your own health care provider.
- Contact your local or regional Texas Department of Health office at 903-693-9322 (Carthage).
- Contact websites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo or www.acha.org
Source: Chapter 51, Education Code, Section 51.9191; Chapter 38, Education Code, Section 38.0025.
Senate Bill 31; Fall 2001.
PANOLA COLLEGE
Infectious/Communicable Disease Policy
Panola College actively promotes the good health, safety, and well-being of students and employees to such extent or degree as possible while prohibiting discrimination against persons afflicted with communicable diseases.
Communicable disease is defined as any condition which is transmitted directly or indirectly to a person from an infected person or animal through the agency of an intermediate animal, host, or vector, or through the inanimate environment. Communicable disease includes, but is not limited to: influenza; tuberculosis; conjunctivitis; infectious mononucleosis; pertussis (whooping cough); acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), positive HIV antibody status; hepatitis A, B, C and D; meningitis; community associated methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA); Coronavirus (COVID-19); measles; West Nile virus; Ebola; and sexually transmitted diseases.
Bacterial Meningitis: Texas Education Code, §51.9192, Subchapter Z, establishes the requirement for bacterial meningitis vaccination for certain students and identifies exceptions to that requirement. Typically, all entering students who are less than 22 years of age must show proof of having received a bacterial meningitis immunization or booster within the five-year period immediately preceding enrollment.
Infectious/Communicable Disease Procedures:
Persons who know or who have reason to believe they are infected with a communicable disease have an obligation to conduct themselves in accordance with such knowledge in order to protect themselves and others. Students and employees who have communicable diseases, whether symptomatic or not, will be allowed regular classroom and work attendance in a non-restrictive manner, as long as they are able to attend classes and/or work and do not pose a medically proven threat for transmission of the disease or condition. Therefore, when there is no medical justification for restricting the access of students and employees who have communicable diseases, they will be allowed access to all College facilities and services. All medical information related to the communicable diseases of students and employees will be kept confidential and no person, group, agency, insurer, employer, or institution will be provided any medical information without the prior, specific written consent of a student or employee unless providing such information is required by state and/or federal law.
Employee Self-Monitoring Requirements in Relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19):
Anyone showing the following symptoms should not report to campus and should contact their supervisor immediately to make alternate working arrangements:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Having recently traveled to or been on a cruise to any high-risk areas for transmission of COVID-19 within the U.S. or other countries.
Return to Work Criteria – COVID-19
Should an employee test positive for COVID-19, the following criteria will be used for their return to work:
- The employee certifies in writing that the employee is fever-free and has been completely symptom free (no cough, chills, or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19) for at least three (3) days; and
- At least fourteen (14) calendar days have passed since the employee first exhibited symptoms. Or
- The employee provides documentation from a medical provider confirming that the employee can return to work, and that the employee had a negative test for COVID-19. Even with a medical release, the employee cannot return within seventy-two (72) hours of being screened with fever.
On-Campus Safety Measures:
- Employees and students should maintain six feet separation where possible, which will be reinforced through signs, posters, and markings on the floors.
- Employees are required to wear face coverings in all common areas and any time the six-foot separation barrier cannot be maintained.
- Everyone should practice the following safety measures: o Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain six feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread a virus.
- Stay at least six feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Do not gather in groups and stay out of crowded places.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- You could spread germs to others even if you do not feel sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Throw used tissues in the
- Immediately wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
- Monitor your health
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
This policy and information reflects the current understanding and ongoing response needs for higher education institutions based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services.