University Health Services (UHS) warned about an uptick in cases of viral meningitis in an email sent to University of Wisconsin-Madison students Friday.
Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, a disease that inflames the protective lining of the brain due to viral infection, though there is also a bacterial form of the disease which is far more severe and can require antibiotic treatment. The local increase follows a broad post-COVID-19 increase nationally.
Common meningitis symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat and runny nose. More serious symptoms can include headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, persistent vomiting, rash or increased sensitivity to light.
UHS said the disease can usually be treated with at-home care, but stressed that only a healthcare provider can determine a course of action for treatment or if a patient has viral or bacterial meningitis.
Students who experience more serious symptoms should seek immediate help from an emergency department.
To prevent meningitis from spreading on campus, UHS recommends following common disease prevention practices like staying home when ill, washing hands frequently, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing and not sharing personal items such as drinks or toothbrushes.
Students who are concerned with their symptoms should call UHS at 608-265-5600 for advice on whether to seek further medical care.
