Officials warn those exposed to teen with meningitis

The Nassau County Department of Health is still investigating anyone who may have come in close contact with a 16-year-old Massapequa High School student who has been hospitalized with bacterial meningitis.

Health department spokeswoman Carolyn McCummings said Monday the youth, whose name and hospital was not released, remained in stable condition.

The Massapequa school district sent a letter to parents Friday that the student was being treated for the potentially lethal infection.

Charles Sulc, the district superintendent, said in a statement Monday that the district had undertaken "additional cleaning procedures as a precaution."

Both the health department and school district urged anyone who had close contact with the student within 10 days before May 19 to receive preventive antibiotics and to be aware of the symptoms of the disease: high fever, headache and a stiff neck are common symptoms in those over age 2.

Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, can be spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. Casual contact - such as being in the same classroom - usually does not spread the disease, according to the CDC.