We got the robo call from Ms Martinez the prinicipal last night. Pretty scary, my daughter, a junior at RHS, says the student is on life support. Is the school doing anything like a special sanitization. I don't know if that would reduce risk. I'm wondering if it warrants her staying honme for a few more days. I don't know if there is an incubation period or how virulent the virus might be. My daughter is vaccinated. How effective is immunization? Is it recommended for adults also? Those are just some questions that go through my mind. My thoughts go out for the recovery of the student and his family. And thank you Patch for being on top of this.

I am praying for this student's recovery, as I have been in the paents' position. I lost my 20 year old son to this disease, not knowing that a vaccine could have prevented it. The CDC recommends routine vaccination for all 11-12 year olds with a booster dose in 5 years. The vaccine cannot protect against every case, which is why it is important to know the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately. Visit the National Meningitis Association for more information.

As a mother who lost her 10 year old son to this disease, my heart goes out to this student and all those who know and love him. Our family will be keeping them in our prayers. The CDC recommends vaccination for all 11 - 12 year olds, however, you can request it for younger children. More information is available at www.nmaus.org.

I agree with Tina. Is the school doing anything to sanitize the area? And are kids on break all week?

The current recommendation remains in place, that adolescents between 11 and 13 receive the vaccine. What has changed is that a booster be added between 16 and 18 years of age, roughly five years later, to make sure kids are protected through adolescence and through the early years of college.

I don't know if this information will be given to RHS parents so I thought I would pass it along. I am personally taking my daughter to get the booster vaccine because it has been 5 years since her first vaccine and she is good friends with the boy who contracted the disease. When I told her I was taking her to get it she said "I'm not going to get it" and my response was I wonder if (the boy) said the same thing? Better safe than sorry! My heart goes out to him and his family, they are all in my prayers.

I am a parent of a Rosemont High School Senior. My son is very good friends with this student and I am in close contact with his mother and the Principal. There is no need to panic, there is a 1 in 100,000 chance of contracting the disease.

This is NOT an airborne illness. Only those who live with or are in close or direct contact (i.e. kissing, eating or drinking after) with the student and even then, generally most do not contract the disease, both his Mother and brother are healthy.

The school is taking every precaution and this incident does not warrant keeping children from school. I don't know if this helps or not, but if you put the numbers in perspective the loss of life to a vehicle accident or even the flu is higher than contracting this rare infection.

Please if your child is a preteen (age 11-12), plays a group sport, participates in group activities such as scouts, or is living in a college dorm please vaccinate your child. I have attached the link below:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/who-vaccinate.htm

Please also keep a positive mindset, he is responding to treatment and on behalf of the family I would like to thank the Principal and most of all the students of Rosemont High School for rallying behind their peer and friend! The family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers and most of all your support!!!

PROUD TO BE A ROSEMONT PARENT TODAY!

One more thing...Remind your kids to WASH THEIR HANDS OFTEN and DO NOT SHARE DRINKS AND OTHER ITEMS. That will help with everything from colds to flus, and it is just a good practice in general.

Thanks Julie. I saw a report on KCRA 3 that Rosemont High was open. I asked because schools in the San Juan Unified district are on break all week.
-Victor at Carmichael Patch

@Cody, I can only speak for my son who is one of the students that did receive the antibiotic because he was ill with severe flu like symtoms, when we received word of his friend. However, he is being treated with Tamiflu, was given IV fluids, and was given several blood tests to rule out any possibility. He is simply sick with the flu and recovering. Also, both my sons were given the Meningicoccal vaccination at my request when they began playing team sports.

The important things to watch for with the fever is the stiff neck, have the children do chin to chest test, moving head from side to side. If they develop the rash, that is very dangerous and you should be seeking immediate medical attention.

Per the ER doctors we spoke with, when one has Meningitis you look very, very sick and time is of the essence. It is important for parents to not just give kids Tylenol or Motrin and tell them to sleep it off. Keep a close eye on your child and seek medical care, always better to take precautionary measures.

I think it is also important for people to realize that this young man also does not know how he contracted the illness. As your article states, some people are carriers and don't even know it. Could have been from a restaurant, a grocery store, someone who has recently travelled abroad, but again it is not easy to catch and is very rare.

UPDATE: WE ARE SO HAPPY TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU...JUSTIN IS NOW OFF LIFE SUPPORT!!! The ventilator has been removed and Justin is breathing on his own! On behalf of Cathy Parr and her sons Justin and Dylan Foster...WE thank you for ALL YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT! Please keep the prayers and support coming as he recovers! But let us rejoice in this moment. knowing that he is breathing on his own!!! I write this through tears of joy! I give thanks to God, The universe and all the wonderful ROSEMONT STUDENTS, FACULTY and COMMUNITY!

My 20 year old son died 9 years ago while attending his junior year of college in river Falls WI. He had the vaccination but the serogroup type B he contracted, from whoever, is not protected by vaccination. Type B. Is 30% or more of cases depending on the time and place. Cipro is generally the choice for preventative antibiotic. There were major mistakes made, which I learned later, by the attending physician. No one ever speaks of this disease which is not rare. Trust me! I probably know more about this disease than most health professionals. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me. Remember, knowledge on this disease can save lives. This is a medical emergency! Sincerely, Christy, mother of Erik

Christine,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I totatlly agree that knowledge is power!!! We hope that through Justin's story that more people get vaccinated and do also educate themselves. I do have one area where I disagree with you and that is it is a rare disease, we do not want to promote panic that is unnecessary. Only 1 in 100,000 people get it. There are many carriers that are unaware that they carry it. So we need to know how to recognize it quickly and treat it!

However, Justin is making a slow, but steady recovery and we are Thankful for all the support we have and continue to receive. Justin's Mom has been through every emotion you can think of from sadness, to anger, to fear, to blame, and most of all Faith! She has rallied by his side and those of us lucky to be included right along side her.

We hope to spare any parent this nightmare!

Thank you!