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!

ALSO remind your kids to WASH THEIR HANDS and not to share drinks.

As a parent who lost a child to this disease, almost 14 years ago, I know what the parents and family are going through. You are completely helpless in the hospital, watching your child fight and hoping for the best. I started the National Meningitis Association in memory of my son, and to prevent other families from going through this. At the time, I didn't know a vaccine could have saved my son's life. That is the take away message -- get vaccinated, learn the symptoms, so that if any of the symptoms come on suddenly or are severe, you seek medical attention immediately. The disease is only spread through close contact - coughing, kissing, sneezing, sharing utensils. Thank goodness for that, because this disease is so deadly. This is an opportunity, as we pray for the student's recovery, to be proactive and get vaccinated.

It is also important to remind people that there are many people who carry the illness and are never affected, they remain Asymptomatic. I also cannot stress enough at how rare this disease is and it does not live outside the body for very long. It is fragile without its host. Please educate yourselves, get your children vaccinated. It attacks generally when the immune system is already compromised, with anything from an ear infection to Diabetes. See the attached link.
Teach your kids to wash their hands. Don't share drinks or food that others have eaten or drank from. And pay close attention when your children are sick.

https://www.medco-athletics.com/education/meningitis.htm

@ Lynn and Micaela Thank you for your posts and Thank you for sharing your story Lynn.

Is there anything the community can do for the family? I hear they are out of town. Do they need funds for lodging or stuff like that?

Thank you Tina for the offer, but at this time the family is only in need of your thoughts, prayers, and support. Should something change, I will let everyone know.

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!

Thank you for keeping us up to date. I am very happy for them and pray for a full uncomplicated recovery.