Meningitis at university: why students are at higher risk and what to watch for

Meningitis at university: why students are at higher risk and what to watch for

Close contact, shared accommodation and nights out help meningococcal bacteria spread quickly among new university students. Xavier Lorenzo/ShutterstockFreshers’ week is designed to bring new students together. But the same close contact that helps friendships form can also help infections spread. Most cases of so-called “freshers’ flu” are relatively mild. Meningococcal disease is different. Although rare, it can develop rapidly and become life…