Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995                   TAG: 9510090028
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ADRIANNE BEE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

TECH STUDENTS AMONG THOSE TREATED AGAINST SPINAL MENINGITIS

Health officials hope the treatment of students at UVa., Tech and two other state colleges will prevent any additional cases of spinal meningitis.

Meningococcal meningitis, commonly called spinal meningitis, is a contagious, possibly life-threatening bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. High fever, severe headache, stiff neck and skin rash are among the disease's symptoms.

Early Sunday morning Michael Mayes, a University of Virginia freshman, was hospitalized with the illness. Virginia Tech, James Madison, and the College of William & Mary were among the handful of schools with students attending a party with Mayes in Charlottesville on Friday night.

"All [of the Tech students] have been seen here and treated with antibiotics to prevent any possible infection," said Dr. Brian Warren, director of Tech's Student Health Services and University Counseling Center. Warren said he was not sure whether there had been two or three Tech students at the fraternity party who came in for treatment. "One I know was treated there before they came back."

The disease is spread through close, prolonged contact, drinking from the same cup, sharing a toothbrush or sharing close quarters with an infected person for an extended period of time.

Dr. James Turner, UVa.'s student health director, said it usually takes 10 to 14 days for a second case to surface. There have been no additional reports of the infection.