The student who contracted Neisseria Meningococcemia on Friday is stabilizing, according to Lane County Health officials. She remains unnamed, and has been moved to a hospital in her hometown.
This is an improvement over the student’s health earlier today, when the Emerald posted an update saying that the student was in septic shock and unresponsive.
Nearly 800 students who may have come into contact with the student have received emails and text alerts warning them of possible infection and encouraging them to get antibiotic treatment at the University of Oregon Health Center.
The University Health Center may extend it’s weekly hours to be open on Sunday so that students can get antibiotics, according to university administration. Students who received emails and texts are encouraged to keep checking the Health Center website.
This is the email sent out to any student who came into contact with the patient from Dr. Richard Brunader, director of the University Health Center:
The University was notified today (Friday January 16, 2015) that one of your classmates in was diagnosed with Neisseria meningococcemia on Thursday, January 15, 2015. This is a bacterial illness that can lead to meningitis, a very serious condition.
While people with Neisseria meningococcemia have the potential of infecting others, the bacteria cannot live for more than a few minutes outside the body, so the disease is not spread as easily as the common cold or influenza. In fact, many people carry the bacteria in their body and are never affected because their immune system prevents the disease from making them ill. The disease is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Typically, extended face-to-face contact for an extended time (at least 4 hours cumulatively within one week), or coming into contact with saliva through kissing or sharing cups and utensils is necessary to infect others.
Neisseria meningococcemia is preventable with prophylactic medication.  Please seek medical attention as soon as possible to decrease your risk of contracting the illness.
If you have an unexplained fever, headache or neck pain, please seek medical attention immediately.
Due to patient confidentiality, I am unable to share the name of the student who was hospitalized with this illness. However, if you believe you have been in the type of contact described above with the student who was hospitalized, you should  contact the University Health Center. You may also see your own provider or seek care at a local urgent care.
Health Center Hours:
Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 16 open until 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 17, 9:00 a.m.  – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, January 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (hours may change- please refer to the website).
http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu