An ISU student was hospitalized Wednesday for bacterial meningitis, an infection that can cause the fluid around the brain and spinal cord to swell.

The student, whose name was not released, is at Mary Greeley Medical Center and is in stable condition, said Dr. Marc Shulman, staff physician at Thielen Student Health Center.

Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs, said this is the only case he is aware of in Story County. The last documented case at Iowa State was in 2001.

According to the Thielen Student Health Center Web site, students are at a greater risk for meningococcal infections, which includes meningitis, because student life includes “being around someone who smokes, going out to the bars, drinking alcohol and living in a dormitory.”

The two forms of this disease are viral and bacterial. If caught early, it can usually be cured, according to the Web site.

Everyone who has had close contact with the student in the past week has been notified and been given Ciprofloxacin, a preventive antibiotic, Shulman said.

He said close contact includes anyone who might have exchanged saliva or spent a great deal of time with the student. Classmates, however, are not being put into this category.

Shulman said bacterial meningitis is more severe than viral meningitis and is potentially fatal. He said it is spread through droplets of saliva.

It usually takes a week for someone to experience the symptoms, and many people carry this bacteria around but never get sick from it, he said.

Shulman said symptoms include fever, bad headaches, stiff neck, body aches and irritation from bright lights. He said Thielen has made contact with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Story County Health Department.

Meningitis only causes problems when it reaches the person’s blood or the person’s brain, Shulman said.

No other information is being released at this time because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, which protects patients’ privacy.

ISU spokeswoman Annette Hacker said no information “that would make this person identifiable” can be released.

“We can’t release names, gender or residence. Nor can the hospital,” Hacker said.

Shulman said students should be aware but not afraid.

“These are usually isolated cases,” he said.

“The situation is being monitored closely.”

Shulman said the health center is always watching for signs of meningitis, especially with students who come in.

He said a phone line will be set up Thursday at Thielen for students to call if they have questions or concerns.