Washing your hands reduces risk of meningitis. (Photo Illustration by Matt Roth ï The Red & Black)

Wash your hands.

Experts from the American College Health Association (ACHA), as well as the University Health Center, believe that this is the most effective method of protecting yourself from bacterial meningitis -- an infection college students are at a higher risk of contracting than the general public.

Liz Rachun, University Health Center information specialist, agreed with the experts, but added that not sharing eating utensils and not drinking after other people also lower chances of infection.

"Do the common sense things your mom would tell you to do to avoid getting sick," she said.

The annual incidents of meningitis among young adults have doubled since 1991, and outbreaks may be on the rise at college campuses, according to the ACHA Web site (www.acha.org).

Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion and abdominal pain.

Although bacterial meningitis is rare, it is of great concern because it is difficult to diagnose and has a high death rate.

In a study released by the ACHA, college students living in dormitories are about six times more likely to become infected than college students not living in a residence hall.

Rachun said the numbers are so high in residence halls because students live in such close proximity.

Experts from the ACHA add that with an increased number of people living together, the likelihood of spreading germs is heightened.

Several University students have heard about the possible effects of bacterial meningitis and want to do something about it.

Jennifer Broe, a freshman from Marietta, said she has not been vaccinated, but will be soon because she has heard about people becoming ill from the infection.

"It's so easy. You can go and get a vaccine, and it can be prevented," she said.

Not all students at the University are so concerned about meningitis, however.

Laura Ritz, a freshman from Homerville, said she is aware of what meningitis is, but does not think about it often.

"I've got too much to do," she said.

But, 2,800 Americans are affected each year, according to the Chronicle for Higher Education.

Of them, 125 to 175 are college students.

"Meningitis is very, very rare, but very, very serious," Rachun said.

Cases have appeared at colleges around the country, including the University of Virginia, Dartmouth University and even in Athens.

In 1997, University freshman Lauren Tardiff died from bacterial meningitis after returning from a spring break trip to Daytona Beach, Fla.

"She was convinced it was strep throat," Tardiff's mother Jeanne Allen told the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Within a day Tardiff died.

Because of the seriousness of the infection, the University Health Center educates both parents and students.

During summer orientation, UHC staff encouraged parents to consider vaccinating their students.

In the fall, letters are sent home encouraging students to get hepatitis B and meningitis shots.

A meningitis vaccine lasts about three to five years and is administered at the Health Center for $62.

"I think of it as another layer of protection," Rachun said. "It doesn't have a lot of side effects. It's not painful and it's not expensive."