Biological interlude
Why isn't Sven sick? options
He has never come in contact with the meningococcal bacteria
Meningitis is like Chicken Pox -- Sven had it when he was little, and now he is immune
Sven really is sick, he just hasn't told anyone
Sven carries the meningitis bacteria, but it doesn't affect him
How did the organism get from Sven to Frank? 
Sven gave Frank a bloody nose, and the bacteria was transferred directly into the bloodstream
Sven and Frank have been breathing the same air because they live in the same dorm room.
Frank drank from Sven's water bottle
Sven often leaves dirty dishes laying around
Let's assume that Frank got the bacteria into his throat, and that it happened last week. If Serogroup B doesn't usually cause an invasive infection, then why does Frank get sick?
Frank has a gene which causes him to be receptive to Serogroup B
Frank was playing football all afternoon, so his immune system was depressed
Frank got a nosebleed
Frank's nosebleed offered the bacteria a way into his bloodstream
Is it a good idea for college students to get immunized for meningitis?
No, they get all the immunizations they need by the age of 5
No, because most people get over meningitis
No, because college students are no more likely than anyone else to get meningitis
Yes, because college students do many careless things, so they need lots of vaccinations
Yes, because college students encounter many people from other countries
photo credits: dirty dishes | vaccine
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