Notre Dame and SMC health services offers medical aid
By ERIN PIROUTEK
Associate News Editor
Jenny Nemeth, a Holy Cross student, died late Friday morning at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center from a type of bacterial meningitis.
"She was fine a week ago and all of a sudden in two days she's gone," said Notre Dame junior Erin Formica, Nemeth's friend.
Stephanie Nemeth, Jenny's twin sister, is a junior at Notre Dame.
"Jenny was so good. She was always looking for what was best for everyone — for Stephanie especially," said Formica.
Bacterial meningitis is contagious and progresses rapidly if not swiftly treated. Death occurs in approximately 10 percent of cases or approximately 300 Americans annually.
"We're prepared to handle a situation like this when it occurs," said Annie Thompson, director of Notre Dame Health Services.
Symptoms are initially similar to those of the flu and include fever, nausea, severe headache, mental alteration and rashes.
The disease is transmitted through direct exposure to oral or nasal secretions, for example sharing eating utensils or kissing. Merely being in the same room as someone with bacterial meningitis is not a risk.
"It isn't as contagious as a cold," said Thompson.
Health services at both Notre Dame and Saint Mary's made preventative antibiotics available without cost. Antibiotics are recommended for those who've had direct contact with Nemeth, but not for those who have had only casual contact with her.
"It's not a situation we would term any kind of emergency," said Linda Timm, Saint Mary's vice president for Student Affairs. "The information was put out so students could make an educated decision for themselves."
Notre Dame students can receive the antibiotics at the Heath Services office.
Over 300 students were treated with antibiotics, primarily due to presence at parties where cups were being exchanged indiscriminately," said Thompson.
According to O'Neill rector John Herman, O'Neill's Mardi Gras celebration caused concern for some residents.
"Apparently Jenny Nemeth was here at Mardi Gras," said Herman.
Some participants decided to receive the antibiotics, but Herman cautioned that not everyone who attended the celebration is at risk.
"For the general population in O'Neill, I'm told that the risk is not significant. They don't need to be concerned," said Herman.
At Saint Mary's, Health Service visited all of the residence halls on Friday afternoon. Health Service staff discussed risks with each student and gave antibiotics if requested. Health Service opened on Saturday morning to provide another opportunity for students to receive antibiotics.
Outbreaks of bacterial meningitis often occur on college campuses. The close proximity of people from geographically diverse locations appears to cause this, said Thompson.
"The only way you can do any prevention is to educate students before they come to college about the risks and benefits of meningococcal vaccine," said Thompson.
Both Notre Dame and Saint Mary's provide information about the vaccine to incoming students.
The vaccine does not prevent all strains of meningitis, but it can prevent the most common strains. As with any vaccine, side effects are a possibility.
"It's a shot that all college students are encouraged to get," said Timm.
The Notre Dame health center has Menomune meningococcal vaccine available for $75. The clinic's supply of vaccine was exhausted and will be available Wednesday. Interested students need to call Health Services to ensure vaccine would be available.
The vaccine will also be available at Saint Mary's on Wednesday. Cost information is available from Health Service at student request. Notre Dame Health Services also encourages students to consider getting the vaccination from their family physician over spring break.
Meningitis can also be caused by a virus. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis, but its symptoms are generally mild.
Anyone with questions or interested in more information about meningitis should contact health services on either campuses.
Visitation for Nementh will be at Holy Cross Chapel Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be at the Basillica of the Sacred Heart Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
All News Stories for Monday, March 5, 2001
