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Page | 73institutional contexts in which such fluids or secretions may be encountered (e.g., teaching and experimentallaboratories). More information is available on campus.Bacterial MeningitisAs mandated by the 77th Session of the Texas Legislature, this information is provided to all new college students inthe state of Texas.Bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress fast. It is an inflammation of themembranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that causes meningitis also can infect the blood. Thedisease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 people on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deathsamong college students every year.There is a treatment for bacterial meningitis, but those who survive may develop severe health problems ordisabilities. The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:* High fever * Confusion and sleepiness* Stiff neck * Rash or purple patch on skin* Lethargy * Nausea* Light sensitivity * Severe headache* Seizures * VomitingThere may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on thebody. The more symptoms that appear, the higher the risk is that the cause is bacterial meningitis. When thesesymptoms appear, the person should seek immediate medical attention.Diagnosis of the disease is made by a medical provider and usually is based on a combination of clinical symptomsand laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve thelikelihood of recovery.The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils,cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.). It also is spread by contact with respiratory or throat secretions. The risk of infection alsois increased by living in close conditions, such as sharing a room/suite in a dormitory or group home.The possible consequences of the disease are:* Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)* Permanent brain damage* Kidney failure* Learning disability* Hearing loss, blindness* Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) requires amputation* Gangrene* Coma* ConvulsionsPersons who contract bacterial meningitis can be treated successfully with antibiotics if the disease is diagnosedearly.Vaccinations also are available and should be considered for those who are living in close quarters and for collegestudents age 25 or younger. Vaccinations are effective against four of the five most common bacteria types that cause 70percent of the disease in the United States.However, vaccinations do not protect against all types of meningitis.The vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective and offer protection for three to five years. The cost of the vaccinevaries, so check with your health care provider.For information about bacterial meningitis, contact your health care provider or call the Port Arthur HealthDepartment at 983-8800. Information also is available from the regional office of the Texas Department of Health (713-767-3000) or on the Internet at one of these websites: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo, www.acha.org ; A copy ofthis information is located on the college website (www.lamarpa.edu).My.Lamarpa.edu AccountNOTE TO ALL STUDENTS: Lamar State College-Port Arthur will utilize your My.Lamarpa.eduemail account as a primary point of contact as a service to you. It is imperative that you secure or getassistance with your password as soon as possible as the College will utilize this as its primary point ofcontact for important announcements and other communications. Your My.Lamarpa.edu account can bechecked on any computer in the world and we also have computers available around campus for youruse. You are strongly encouraged to log into your My.Lamarpa.edu account DAILY. If you needassistance with your account, contact the My.Lamarpa.edu, Help Desk Coordinator – 409-984-6150.