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Show disease: what students should know Meningococcal freshmen College everywhere have an increased risk by Mandolyn Preece Dixie Sun News Editor College freshmen living in a dormitory situation are at least 6 33 times more likely to be infected with the meningococcal disease than the overall population According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), meningococcal disease infects approximately 3,000 people in the United States every year, with about 10 to 13 of cases resulting in death, despite receiving antibiotics In college campus settings, an estimated 100 to 125 reported cases occur annually with anywhere from 5 to 15 student deaths per year Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria The disease is spread through respiratory secretions (coughing and sneezing) and direct contact with an infected person Oral contact with shared items, such as drinking glasses or intimate contact, such as kissing, put people at higher risk for meningococcal disease The disease is most commonly expressed as meningococcal meningitis, which is an inflammation of the mem branes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or as memngococcemia, a serious infection of the blood Meningococcal disease can cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, limb amputation, kidney failure or death Studies from the ACHA also show that college students, particularly freshmen, are more susceptible to the disease Meningococcal disease can be spread anywhere people are living together, said Susan Holdaway, an RN and health nurse public state the of by employed Utah College students, especially freshmen, have a higher incidence rate because of their shared living situations They are also at higher risk because memngococcal disease usually peaks m late winter and early spring -just m time for fall and spring semester Also in higher risk categories are U S military recruits, anyone with a compromised immune system, those suffering from a damaged or removed spleen, and regular world travelers, as well as college students Fortunately, studies by the ACHA also show that about 80 of college cases are pre ventable with the meningococcal vaccination The vaccine has proven to be 85 to 100 effective in pre- venting the disease m older children and adults The vaccine is recommended by the U S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and by the American of Academy Pediatrics, as well as the ACHA, for all incoming college freshmen who plan to live m dormitories College-boun- d get a scare as film- ing of future movie takes places in St. George by Jarrod Addington Dixie Sun Staff Writer Three weeks ago local residents got a surprise when an actor from the cast of the upcoming film Fly Boys waved a gun in the in downtown St air George streets had been blocked off But a minor miscommumca-tio- As the police arrived and pulled a gun on the actor, they were quickly notified by the stuntman that they were only filming for a movie Other than a little problem, the police department has been miscom-mumcatio- e c Miche LdDat students, lee their parents, and college 1 public the m Ives administrators should know that a safe and effective vaccine agamst this disease is available, said Dr Nancy Rosenstem, spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control f ge 19 DSC i MANY Chora tt bv Many healthy people become carriers of this bacteria and build up natural antibodies, without ever displaying the symptoms of the disease Cham The most common symptoms are those common to that of the flu Infected persons usually display a high fever, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, nausea, and vomiting In the St George area there are several places students can go to be vaccmated The St Health George Department, located at 168 North and 100 East, gives immunizations Tuesday 9 boatu lond said Rocco wonderful, and DeVilliers, director of Fly Boys n caused a scare and brought police to the scene where the actor was standing on a sidewalk with a gun m hishand TO a1 arcou Colleg Pge Colleg severe Studies by the ACHA show that about 80 of college cases are preventable with the meningococcal vaccination. am -- 11 30 am and font COLLI 2 pm-- 4 30 p m They are also open Wednesday 3 p m 7 p m Students can make an appomtment or walk m The immunization cost is $74, and some msurance companies will pay for the vaccme For more information call State College, originally came up with the first draft of the movie. Jason DeVilliers attended Dixie DSC from 1999 to 2001 not a cheesy movie you would see on the "It is Disney channel. Both adults and kids will enjoy the movie." Jason DeVilliers n Rocco and brother Jason of DeVilliers, an 18 KADE the health department at 673-352- 8 The adventure and film will be about the growing friendship of two boys and their love of flying It takes place m a small town m Arizona The two boys get accidentally involved in a Mafia scandal at a local airport in Arizona action-packe- d Students who are patients at the IHC healthcare clinic, can make an appomtment with their family practitioners to receive the vaccme The cost is $29 and an office visit usually runs about $70 for a total of $99 It is not a cheesy movie you would see on the Disney channel Both adults and kids will enjoy the movie, said Jason DeVilliers The film mcludes actors Tom from Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan, and Stephen old Baldwin The two boys are played by actors r- Jesse dents irst Upcoming movie "Fly Boys" filmed in St. George Local residents The police were aware of the filming taking place and the IN James and Reiley McClendon. The film does not yet have an official release date, but DeVilliers hopes it can hit the screens some time m April of 2004 Along come lul di Dage 2 LOCA PRISI Geor conn poke movi Page 2 |