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MENINGITIS SYMPTOMS Source: Centers For Disease Control And Prevention |
Local Student Dies Of Meningitis After Hospital Sent Him Home
POSTED: 3:29 pm EDT September 25,
2007
UPDATED: 5:08 am EDT September 26,
2007
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. -- A local student died of meningitis after he visited a local hospital that sent him home.
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According to the Chester County Health Department, a 21-year-old Jeffrey Cox from Universal Technical Institute in Exton died of apparent bacterial meningitis.Cox, of Maryland, took himself to the Chester County Hospital last Wednesday feeling sick but they sent him home, according to the health department. The coroner said he died of meningitis later that night or early the next morning.The Chester County Department Of Health confirmed Cox died of bacterial meningitis.At that time he didn't have the classic symptoms of meningitis. He was sent home and officials said he attended school the next day.But when his grandfather didn't hear from Cox, health department officials said he became alarmed and called police. That's when they discovered the young man had died.Officials at Universal Technical Institute said they were saddened by the student's death.The president of Universal Technical Institute said Cox would have been finished with school in about 12 weeks.He said Cox lived off campus and was studying automotive and diesel technology.He said his heart goes out to his family and said that all 1,400 students at the school have been notified and told to be aware of any symptoms."The health and safety of our student is our first priority and we want to make sure we have and we believe we have taken care of that," the president said.The Chester County Health Department is notifying anyone who may have come in contact with the student so they can be given antibiotics.The health department said they think it may be one of the more severe forms of the disease because of the quick way the illness overtook Cox.Even though they said he was sent home from the hospital just days before he died, the symptoms aren't always clear-cut.Health officials said Cox did not complain of a stiff neck or headache and there was no reason to suspect meningitis.Meningitis is spread through close personal contact, kissing, coughing and sharing spoons or toothbrushes.
Health Encyclopedia Entries:
What Is Meningitis?
Meningitis - Meningococcal
Opinion: Meningitis Shots Should Be Required
Early symptoms include a high fever, headache and stiff neck.Antibiotics can help prevent the illness in people exposed.Chester County Hospital where Cox was seen said they couldn't comment due to patient confidentiality.Cox did get the vaccination for meningitis but it doesn't protect against every strain of meningitis.Health officials said you can't completely relax just because your child was vaccinated.If he was exposed to bacterial meningitis he or she should take the antibiotic. Meningococcal Disease
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention
Images | Video
According to the Chester County Health Department, a 21-year-old Jeffrey Cox from Universal Technical Institute in Exton died of apparent bacterial meningitis.Cox, of Maryland, took himself to the Chester County Hospital last Wednesday feeling sick but they sent him home, according to the health department. The coroner said he died of meningitis later that night or early the next morning.The Chester County Department Of Health confirmed Cox died of bacterial meningitis.At that time he didn't have the classic symptoms of meningitis. He was sent home and officials said he attended school the next day.But when his grandfather didn't hear from Cox, health department officials said he became alarmed and called police. That's when they discovered the young man had died.Officials at Universal Technical Institute said they were saddened by the student's death.The president of Universal Technical Institute said Cox would have been finished with school in about 12 weeks.He said Cox lived off campus and was studying automotive and diesel technology.He said his heart goes out to his family and said that all 1,400 students at the school have been notified and told to be aware of any symptoms."The health and safety of our student is our first priority and we want to make sure we have and we believe we have taken care of that," the president said.The Chester County Health Department is notifying anyone who may have come in contact with the student so they can be given antibiotics.The health department said they think it may be one of the more severe forms of the disease because of the quick way the illness overtook Cox.Even though they said he was sent home from the hospital just days before he died, the symptoms aren't always clear-cut.Health officials said Cox did not complain of a stiff neck or headache and there was no reason to suspect meningitis.Meningitis is spread through close personal contact, kissing, coughing and sharing spoons or toothbrushes.
Health Encyclopedia Entries:
What Is Meningitis?
Meningitis - Meningococcal
Opinion: Meningitis Shots Should Be Required
Early symptoms include a high fever, headache and stiff neck.Antibiotics can help prevent the illness in people exposed.Chester County Hospital where Cox was seen said they couldn't comment due to patient confidentiality.Cox did get the vaccination for meningitis but it doesn't protect against every strain of meningitis.Health officials said you can't completely relax just because your child was vaccinated.If he was exposed to bacterial meningitis he or she should take the antibiotic. Meningococcal Disease
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