Rosemont High student contracts meningococcal infection | News

SACRAMENTO, CA - Parents have been informed via telephone message and email that a student at Rosemont High School was diagnosed with a meningococcal infection.

Sacramento County health officials say the risk of other students contracting the infection is very low.

The particular strain is not communicable via air droplets. It is only transferable by exchange of body fluids, says Gabe Ross, spokesman for the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Ross reiterated there was no danger to other students at this point. Medical privacy laws prohibit information on the ill student.

Characteristic of meningococcal infection is a skin rash. There may first be upper respiratory symptoms followed by chills and a fever. A stiff neck, malaise, weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting  are common.

Meningitis can be viral or bacterial in origin. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is imperative.