Pitt County schools officials tell WITN a "student who attends DH Conley High School was admitted today to Pitt County Memorial Hospital and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis."

Officials say bacterial meningitis is an "inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord and is transmitted through close personal contact with an infected person."

Bacterial meningitis can be very serious but can be treated with antibiotics. The earlier treatment begins, the better.

The Pitt County Health Department is "working with the student’s family and the school to identify the close personal contacts of this student. These personal contacts are being notified and prescribed antibiotics to prevent additional cases. Parents should be aware that other cases of meningitis may occur in our community."

Symptoms include:

Fever
Headache
Stiff Neck
Possible vomiting

According to the Centers for Disease Control, "the symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure."

According to the CDC, "bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important that treatment be started early in the course of the disease. If bacterial meningitis is suspected, initial treatment with ceftriaxone and vancomycin is recommended. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of the most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%, although the risk is higher among the elderly."

Click the attached news release for additional information.