Cedar Rapids man may have died of meningitis

Associated Press - November 10, 2009 9:54 PM ET

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - Public health officials are investigating the death of a 21-year-old Cedar Rapids man as a probable case of bacterial meningitis.

Linn County Public Health Director Curtis Dickson says reports had not confirmed meningitis in Monday's death, but he was fairly certain that was the case.

Dickson says 10 people in close contact with the man have been reached and are being given preventive antibiotic treatment.

Meningitis, which is an infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and fluid that surrounds the brain, can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Bacterial meningitis, which is much more serious than the viral form, can result in brain damage, hearing loss, paralysis and death. Symptoms include high fever, headache and stiff neck.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

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Cedar Rapids man may have died of meningitis