PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State University says a 19-year-old male student hospitalized in Spokane since Dec. 7 with a presumed case of bacterial meningitis is improving and is no longer considered to be in critical condition. In a statement Tuesday, the school says no new cases of meningitis have been reported at the Pullman school.
School health officials say they based their diagnosis on the presence of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
The unidentified student had been ill with flulike symptoms before he was hospitalized.
Health officials say people who were close to the sick student were given a precautionary dose of antibiotics. They say people who just shared common dining halls and classrooms were not considered to be at risk.
Symptoms usually involve high fever, headache and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness.
