Meningococcal Disease is a severe and deadly disease that affects approximately 3,000 people per year in the US. Ten to thirteen percent of the cases end in fatality despite receiving antibiotics early in the illness. Survivors often suffer severe complications that result in amputation due to the loss of circulation because the auditory canal becomes infected, loss of hearing, and mental retardation due to abnormal proteins in the brain. Outbreaks of meningitis have been reported throughout …showed first 75 words of 747 total…

…showed last 75 words of 747 total…with student health services in the US, released a statement alerting students and their parents about the dangers of meningococcal disease and vaccination. The ACHA initiated two studies of meningococcal disease and college students living in dormitories. Studies showed that freshman students living in dormitories constitute a group at a modestly increased risk for meningococcal disease. College bound students should consider receiving the vaccine. The vaccine costs about $65.00 and reduces the risk of contracting meningitis.