A Washington State University student hospitalized with a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis has shown encouraging signs of recovery.
Officials with WSU’s Health and Wellness Services say the 19-year-old male student has been upgraded from critical to stable condition and has been removed from a ventilator.
Originally from Seattle, the student had been experiencing severe flu-like symptoms for two weeks before he was treated at Pullman Regional Hospital Sunday and transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
The student is a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Whitman County health officials have been working with HWS to identify anyone who may be at risk of contracting the disease. Those who had contact with the student and may be at risk are being offered a precautionary dose of antibiotics.
About 30 students have been treated. The treatments are highly effective in preventing the spread of the disease. Health officials say a number of people may be exposed to the bacteria, but will never experience any problems. (WSU)
