Information from the University of Teesside

An engineering student at the University of Teesside was admitted to South Cleveland Hospital on Monday night (24 January) with suspected meningococcal septicaemia. He was kept in hospital overnight and given antibiotics. His condition today was described by the hospital as "still comfortable after a settled night."

Tests have been taken to establish whether the patient has a confirmed case of meningococcal septicaemia, but the results will not be available for at least another day. In the meantime, the University is following the medical advice given by Tees Health. This includes providing antibiotics in the form of tablets to the five students living in the same University-owned accommodation in King Edward’s Square as the patient. Medical advice given to the University is that it is not necessary to widen the number of students or staff being offered antibiotics.

The University is in close contact with Dr Ian Holtby, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with Tees Health Authority, and he and his staff are providing appropriate medical advice. The advice we have been given is that students and staff are no more at risk of having the symptoms passed on to them inside the University than they are off campus.

At this time of year, as many as one in four members of the public can carry the bacteria. For the vast majority this does not develop into meningitis of septicaemia (blood poisoning). However for a tiny minority this can cause serious illness if left untreated. This is why people, especially students who live closely together in large groups, need to be aware of the importance of seeing a doctor or going straight to the Accident and Emergency Department of a local hospital if they suspect they have the symptoms. The symptoms start as a cluster of tiny blood spots, which quickly get bigger and become multiple areas of obvious bleeding under the skin. These bruises, appearing as fresh bruises, then join together to form large areas of purple skin damage and discolouration.

Any students, or staff, wishing to obtain further information should contact the University’s Student Services Department in the Student Centre, telephone (34) 2251. The Student Health Adviser, Jean Hall, is also available to give advice to staff or students. Any media inquiries should be directed to the University’s Press and Public Relations Office, tel 01642 342015.

The University has for the last two years issued advice and information to students at the start of each new academic year, including running a joint Meningitis Awareness Week in October with the Students’ Union. This includes advising students to seek immediate medical help if they suspect they or a friend may have the disease. The University was also involved at the start of the academic year (October, 1999) in offering first year students the opportunity to be vaccinated against Meningitis A/C.

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