UGA student dies of bacterial infection

A 22 year-old University of Georgia student died Saturday from a bacterial infection believed to be septicemia. Doctors initially thought Michael Hendrickson died from meningitis. Autopsy results are expected to confirm the cause of death. In both cases, the infection is caused by a bacterium spread through close contact with others, such as sharing eating utensils, kissing, or being coughed upon. UGA health officials say they’ve given preventive antibiotics to 30 people who had contact with Hendrickson. Liz Rachun, a spokeswoman for the UGA Health Center, says that although the disease is very rare, students should know the symptoms: “[They include] fevers and chills, very severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and purplish rash, which is definitely a sign of meningitis.” Officials expect Hendrickson’s infection is an isolated case. UGA has not had a documented case of meningitis since 1998.

Meningitis kills child

A suburban Atlanta child has died from bacterial meningitis. Now several children from the unidentified boy's day care in Alpharetta are taking antibiotics. The children at the Knowledge Beginnings center are taking medicine as a precaution. Health officials say there is no public health threat.

Cobb County student in hospital with bacterial meningitis

A high school student in Cobb County has landed in the hospital with bacterial meningitis. A county school spokesman says parents will be notified by e-mail about the sick student, who attends Walton High School in Marietta. The school is asking parents to let them know if their child has symptoms. Those include high fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting. Bacterial meningitis is passed from person to person by close direct contact over several hours. It is treated with antibiotics.