In the event of an on-campus medical emergency, please call 9-911 (on-campus) or 911 (off campus). 

You can also contact Ramapo College Security at X 6666 (on-campus) or 201-684-6666 (off campus). This will activate the Ramapo College Emergency Response System.

Student Health Services is NOT an Emergency Department and cannot provide the level of care that Emergency Department does.

New NJ Meningitis Law

The NJ Meningitis Law requires that specific groups of students must receive the meningitis vaccine before they can move into campus housing.

This Law applies to you If you will reside in campus housing AND you are a:

• new freshman
• new readmit
• new transfer
• continuing student who is returning to campus housing

Your Responsibility:

• Arrange with your healthcare provider to receive the meningitis vaccine.*
• Submit proof of vaccination.
• Spring Deadline: Proof of vaccination must be received by January 15
• Fall Deadline: Proof of vaccination must be received by July 1
  
  Send to:
  Center for Health and Counseling Services
  Student Health Services Building
  Ramapo College of NJ
  505 Ramapo Valley Road
  Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680

REMEMBER:
You will not be permitted to move into any residence hall until the Office of Health Services has received written proof that you have received the meningitis vaccine.

NOTES:
In the near future you will also receive information about other required immunizations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Tuberculosis. To ensure your campus housing we strongly recommend that you submit proof of all required vaccines at the same time, under one cover, and prior to the meningitis deadline.

*Ramapo College of NJ, Student Health Services has made arrangements with the Valley Health Medical Group to provide this vaccine for our students. Please direct all calls regarding their office hours, cost and insurance coverage directly to the Valley Health Medical Group. The following locations are available for your use:

• 159 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, New Jersey 201-447-3603
• 72 Hamburg Turnpike, Riverdale, New Jersey 973-835-7290
• 1114 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, New Jersey 973-423-1364
• 40 Washington Ave., Dumont, New Jersey 201-387-7055
• 182 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, New Jersey 201-930-1700
• 780 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, New Jersey 201-386-7664

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Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. This bacteria is the major cause of bacterial meningitis among all age groups and it is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States.

Meningococcal meningitis strikes about 2,800 Americans each year leading to death in approximately 10-15% of cases or 300 deaths annually, despite the availability of effective antibiotics.

The most common symptoms of meningococcal disease include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and rashes to the body. In some cases the bacteria causes an inflammation to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, a condition called meningococcal meningitis or bacterial meningitis. In some cases the bacteria invades only the bloodstream causing a condition called meningococcemia. If not treated or not treated promptly, this condition progresses rapidly, often within hours of symptom onset and results in death.

The occurrence of meningococcal disease in the United States usually peaks in the late winter and early spring. The organism is spread from person-to-person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions such as by coughing and kissing.

Although meningococcal disease can affect people at any age, certain groups are at increased risk. Children under age 4 years old have the greatest risk. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of meningococcal disease in the 15-24 year age group, including college-aged students. Research suggests that the lifestyle behaviors of college students increase their risk. These behaviors include active or passive smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption.

Dormitory-style living may also contribute as crowded environments facilitate the spread of the infection. It is estimated that 125-175 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and 15-20 students dies each year as a result.

It is recommended that college students consider vaccination with Menomune vaccine to reduce their risk for potentially fatal meningococcal disease.

It is the recommendation of the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control that the following should be vaccinated pre-exposure:

• Entering college students who elect to decrease their risk for meningococcal disease.
• Students 30 years or age or under who request vaccination in order to decrease the risk for disease and are not pregnant. The highest priority should be for students 18-24 years of age as students older that 25 years of age have a much lower risk of disease.
• Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy.)
• Students traveling to areas of the world with endemic meningococcal disease.

The vaccine has been shown to provide protection against the most common strains of the disease. The vaccine is very safe and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness and pain at the site of injection, which lasts up to two (2) days. The duration of the meningococcal vaccine’s efficacy is approximately 3-5 years.

If you have further questions regarding this disease or if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive this vaccination, please contact your primary care provider. The staff of Student Health Services is also available to answer any questions you may have. Our phone number is (201) 684-7536.

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Attention All Students, Faculty, & Staff

Strategy to Protect College Students From Mumps

As many of you know, there has recently been a large mumps outbreak mainly affecting college-age students, which started in Iowa in December 2005 and subsequently affected at least 11 other states.  As of early May 2006, more than 2,500 mumps cases have been reported.  The outbreak is believed to have started in college students, and the predominant age group affected has been 18 to 24 year olds.  Transmission has been widespread in college-age students for reasons that may include social interactions, living environment, and local and interstate travel.  While rare, complications of mumps can be severe, including meningitis, encephalitis and orchitis, leading to hospitalization and in rare instances, death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association believe that it is critically important to decrease the risk of mumps among students and others in the communities in which they reside.

The most effective strategy to protect college students from mumps is to ensure that all students have received two (2) doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).  Previously, individuals born before January 1, 1957, were thought to have natural immunity from the disease and were not required to receive this vaccine.  This recommendation was changed on May 17, 2006.  It is now recommended that any person born before 1957 should receive one (1) dose of MMR vaccine.  Healthcare workers born prior to January 1, 1957 should receive two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine.

These immunizations are necessary to provide the best protection for college students and our community against mumps disease.  This will avoid the inevitable disruption to the educational experience caused by illness and isolation procedures.  MMR is a very safe vaccine, even if the person has had the disease. 

For further information on the mumps or the MMR vaccine, please visit the CDC’s website- www.cdc.gov*, the American College Health Association’s website - www.acha.gov*, or contact your state or local health department.

Debra Lukacsko, MSN, BA, RN, APN, C
Nurse Practitioner
Coordinator of Student Health Services
Center for Health & Counseling Services

(* disclaimer below)

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Health Services: FAQ on the Mumps

What is the mumps?

Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus.  Mumps can cause:

• Inflammation of the brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis / viral meningitis)
• Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis)
• Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts (oophoritis and mastitis)
• Spontaneous abortion
• Deafness that is usually permanent

What are the symptoms of mumps?

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of the salivary glands

How is Mumps spread?

The mumps virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or fomites.

The infectious period or time that an infected person can transmit mumps to a non-infected person is 3 days before symptoms appear to about 9 days after the symptoms appear.

The incubation time, which is the period from when a person is exposed to the virus to the onset of any symptoms, can vary from 12 to 25 days.

What can I do to prevent from getting the mumps?

The mumps vaccine, which is contained in the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, can prevent the disease.

Children should get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.  The first should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age.

Some adults should also get 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.  Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Who should not get the MMR vaccine?

Some people should not get the MMR vaccine including:

• People who have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or a previous dose of MMR vaccine
• People who are moderately ill or severely ill at the time the vaccine is to be given.
• Pregnant women should not receive the vaccine.  Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after getting this vaccine.
• Some people should check with their medical provider before getting this vaccine, including anyone who has HIV / AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
• Is being treated with medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer.
• Has any kind of cancer
• Is taking cancer treatment with x-rays or medications
• Has a low platelet count
• Recently had a blood transfusion or received other blood products

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What is Pertussis?

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Approximately 200 cases are now being reported annually in New Jersey. In 1999, there were only 30 cases compared to 223 cases in 2004, representing an increase of 643 percent over that period. The reasons for this increase are likely to be multifactorial and include improvements in diagnosis and reporting of cases.

Who gets Pertussis?

Pertussis can occur at any age. Although most of the reported cases occur in children under five years, the number of cases among adolescents and adults is increasing. Pertussis most often affects persons without any Pertussis vaccination, those persons with incomplete vaccinations, and those adolescents or older persons who were previously vaccinated as children.

How is Pertussis spread?

Pertussis is primarily spread through the air by close contact or by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals. Older siblings who have the bacteria in their nose and throat can be a source of disease in the home and infect an infant in the household.

What are the symptoms of Pertussis?

Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs (called paroxysms) followed by a crowing or high-pitched whoop. These episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night. Older people or partially immunized children can have milder or less specific symptoms.

How soon after infection do symptoms appear?

The incubation period is usually 7 to 10 days after being exposed to an infected person but may be as long as 21 days.

When and for how long is a person able to spread Pertussis?

A person can transmit Pertussis from onset of symptoms to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. Pertussis is most infectious to others during the earliest stages of illness. The period of communicability can be reduced to five days after antibiotic therapy is begun.

How is Pertussis diagnosed?

Pertussis can be very difficult for a doctor to diagnose. A doctor or parent may think a child has Pertussis because of the symptoms, but specific lab tests are the only way to be sure. To test for Pertussis the nasal passages are swabbed and nasal material on the swab is then examined in a laboratory for the presence of Pertussis bacteria.

Does past infection with Pertussis make a person immune?

One attack of Pertussis usually provides immunity for a long time, but second attacks occasionally occur.

What are the complications associated with Pertussis?

Complications of Pertussis may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, dehydration, seizures, brain damage, brief periods of absence of breathing and death.

How and when is the vaccine for Pertussis given?

The vaccine for Pertussis is usually given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus. Immunization authorities recommend that DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular Pertussis) vaccine be given at two, four, six and 15-18 months of age and between four and six years of age. An adolescent/adult DTaP booster dose was licensed in 2005 for individuals ages 11-64.  The recommendations now include one (1) booster for the adult.

What can be done to prevent the spread of Pertussis?

The single most effective control measure is immunizing as many individuals as possible against Pertussis. Treatment of cases with certain antibiotics can shorten the contagious period. People who have or may have Pertussis should stay away from children and infants until properly treated. Giving antibiotics to people who are close contacts of Pertussis cases is also an important part of prevention.

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What is the flu?

The flu (influenza) is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

• It can cause mild to severe illness.
• People have died from the flu.
• Most healthy people recover from the flu without any problems.
• People at high risk for complications are older patients, people with certain chronic health problems, women who are pregnant, and young children.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Fever (usually high)
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Diarrhea and vomiting (more common in children)

Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.

How is the flu spread?

The flu is easily passed from person to person.  The virus is primarily spread by coughing and sneezing or direct contact with someone who has the flu.

What can I do to prevent from getting the flu?

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine each flu season.
Basic good health habits are also essential.  These include:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  Throw the tissue away after you use it.
• Wash you hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
  If you are not near water, use a hand sanitizer.
• Stay away from people who are sick!
• If you get the flu, sty home.  Stay away from others so that they don’t get sick, too!
• Try not to touch your mouth, eyes, or nose with unclean hands.

Where can I go to get more information?

• Student Health Services
• Your healthcare provider.
• Your local health department
• State of NJ Department of Health - www.state.nj.us/health/fl*

Where can I go to get the flu vaccine?

Student Health Services provide a Flu Clinic for our currently enrolled students. Faculty and Staff are not permitted to use this service. The Flu Clinic is usually held in October. An announcement is made to all students in the fall with specific information about this clinic. There s a fee for this service. You must schedule and appointment for this clinic. You can also contact your healthcare provider or local health department for assistance in the locating the flu vaccine or www.findaflushot.com*.

(* disclaimer below)