College Student in San Diego on Life Support After Suffering from Meningitis
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iStock/Thinkstock(SAN DIEGO) — A San Diego State University student is on life support after suffering from meningitis.
Sara Stelzer, 18, was hospitalized Tuesday, thinking she had the flu. She is not expected to recover.
Just before she felt sick, Stelzer returned home to Moorpark, Calif. for her high school’s homecoming.
Health officials believe those at most risk of contracting the bacterial infection are people Stelzer came in close contact with in San Diego, where she became deathly ill.
Dr. Gregg Lichtenstein of San Diego State University student health services says symptoms include fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, and lethargy. “Also when it gets into your bloodstream, it can result in a rash that kind of looks like little bruises that get bigger and bigger,” Lichtenstein said.
Parent Cindy Lilly is concerned her own daughter may be at risk.
“My daughter knew her, and we have talked about meningitis and kind of how you can contract it, so it is a big concern for us,” Lilly said.
Miranda Lipson, a friend of Stelzer, is in disbelief.
“Friends I know, if one of us got it, we would all get it, but I think people are here are smart enough not to let it spread around,” Lipson said. “I hope she’s in a good place right now and I hope that she rests in peace.”
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