As the year moves on, students at Eastern get anxious about many things. Tests, quizzes and what to wear on a given night, but one thing that students may not think about is their health.

Meningitis is probably the last health issue on students’ minds.

“I’ve never worried about it,” said junior arts major Chad Whitfield. “It’s just not something you hear about going around.”

According to Eastern’s Health Services Web site, Illinois gets about 100 cases per year in all age groups, with 2 to 10 percent of those cases resulting in fatalities.

Although there are few fatalities, meningitis is a very serious illness.

“Meningitis is not a small situation, it’s a very serious one and it can be very debilitating and unfortunately lead to death,” said Rachel Fisher, health communication and marketing specialist.

Fisher also said because the symptoms of meningitis look very similar to symptoms of the cold and flu, it is important to get the meningitis vaccine.

That is why Health Service will host a meningitis clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. today in the Human Services Building.

Fisher said information and vaccinations will be available at the clinic and no appointment is necessary.

The vaccination will cost $90 and can be charged to a student’s account.

Fisher said the vaccine is supposed to last five to 10 years and is 85 to 100 percent effective.

This high rate of effeictivinness is important because college campuses have a lot of people living together, which creates a greater risk.

“We know the highest risk situation is when you are living in the resident hall situation, where you are sharing things. That’s where meningitis spreads,” she said.

According to administrative nurse Maria Barrientos, there has been one reported case of meningitis at Eastern since 1999.

This case resulted in death.

Barrientos said a campus-wide awareness plan went into place when the infection was discovered.

Nurses counseled many people over the phone that may have had contact with the student.

“They were giving out vaccines and medicine to everyone,” Barrientos said.

She said procedures during that time would be repeated if the need ever arose on campus again.

“The whole staff [is] called in and a lot of triaging is done over the phone because if the student is in the classroom, they are involved in a big group,” Barrientos said.

Barrientos said she believes the school is prepared incase of another illness or outbreak.

The pharmacy would supply the school with the proper medicine in “almost no time,” she said.

Since the symptoms are like those of a common cold or flu, it may be difficult to tell when a student is infected.

A stiff neck or fever are some symptoms, but more serious symptoms include rashes, or small bumps that resemble bruises on parts of the body where pressure is usually applied.

According to Health Service, during meningitis epidemics as many as 95 percent of the people may carry the disease, but it may only become active in 1 percent. This can be due to the youth and healthy immune systems of younger people.

While Health Services is prepared, resident halls also need to be ready.

“Very little training is done for the resident assistants, but the director will work with Health Service to make it a safe environment,” said Michelle Hopper, Lincoln, Stevenson and Douglas Complex director. “In the past if Health Service became aware of an illness they contacted the resident director.

“So, in turn the hall staff will be provided with suggestions from Health Service so they can spread information or post items in the halls.”

While Fisher said the shot is “highly, highly recommended,” Barrientos said the shot is not for everyone.

“There are some people that shouldn’t get it [the shot], mainly if you are sick right now, allergic to yeast or latex, or if you are allergic to the shot, which you won’t find out until you get it,” Barrientos said.

Besides the shot, some other preventative actions can be taken.

“Taking measures like getting plenty of sleep, keeping your immune system healthy, drinking fluids and taking vitamins can keep you healthy,” said Barrientos. “All the things that students don’t do enough of.”

If students do feel symptoms, Barrientos advises them to do something about it.

“We would like to see them here, they have to see someone,” Barrientos said.

Information about meningitis and the vaccine can be obtained from Health Service.

Barrientos said if students are interested in a vaccination throughout the school year, they must make an appointment.

“As you move into being an adult you have to take ownership of your health,” Fisher said. “This is an opportunity to really own your health and that is why Health Services is here.”