Livonia Student Diagnosed With Viral Meningitis

LIVONIA (WWJ) - The principal of Livonia's Stevenson High School is sending out an email to parents after a student at the school has been diagnosed with viral meningitis.

They're not releasing any details about the student or the student's condition.

Wayne County Medical Director Talat Danish said viral meningitis is the less serious form of the disease.

"With viral meningitis there's usually a period of three to seven days when a person is exposed and then develops symptoms," Danish told WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeil.

Danish said they do not usually worry about keeping the ill student out of class. "While the person may catch a virus from the individual, the likelihood of the person getting viral meningitis is low," she said.

Schools spokesperson Donna McDowell said the district does want parents to be aware of the symptoms, which can include the following:

Common in infants:
o Fever
o Irritability
o Poor eating
o Hard to awaken

Common in older children and adults:
o High fever
o Severe headache
o Stiff neck
o Sensitivity to bright light
o Sleepiness or trouble waking up
o Nausea, vomiting
o Lack of appetite

The district starts classes the day after Labor Day, but the football teams and cheerleaders are already practicing and playing.

More information on meningitis is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at this link.