UNC student dies of meningitis

An unexpected illness cut Sierra Krizman's energetic life short Tuesday. Only three days after falling ill, Krizman, 20, died from bacterial meningitis.

Krizman, a University of Northern Colorado student, was a spirited person who was close with her family and friends. "She was the first to run up and give you a hug," said Geoff Frahm, a close friend of the family. He also said Krizman was a strong Christian who always put others before herself.

Krizman commuted to campus from Loveland, where her family also lives. She always wanted to help kids and was studying elementary education.

The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment has no records of deaths from bacterial meningitis in the past 10 years. Since 1997, 14 cases have been reported in Weld County, but all of the patients survived, epidemiologist Jo Peden said.

Bacterial meningitis is treatable with antibiotics and four of five strains are preventable by a vaccine. While contagious, the disease is only transmitted through close personal contact with an infected person where saliva is shared. Those close to Krizman already have been informed about treatment.

Although the illness cannot be spread by casual contact, the university is offering preventive antibiotics to students in Krizman's classes.

For more information about the meningitis vaccination, call the Student Health Center at (970) 350-4930. For more on meningitis, visit the UNC Student Health Center Web site at www.unco.edu/shc/meningitis.htm.

A memorial service for Krizman is scheduled for 1 p.m., Monday at Crossroads Church, 5420 N. Taft Ave. in Loveland.

Krizman's myspace

Sierra Krizman, 20, of Loveland, wrote on her myspace site that she was a typical girl who loved her friends and family dearly. She enjoyed her job working as a nanny for young children. Krizman also wrote about how much she loved snowboarding and her new niece. Her page is full of fun-loving photos of friends and family and a countdown to her 21st birthday in two months.

Frequently asked questions about meningitis

Q. What is meningitis?

A. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and surrounding the brain caused by either a virus or bacteria. Viral meningitis is generally less severe. For bacterial meningitis, it is important to know the causing bacteria because antibiotics can prevent the disease from spreading.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?

A. High fever, headache and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone older than 2. These symptoms can develop in several hours or a couple of days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness. Symptoms may be difficult to detect in infants, who may only appear inactive, irritable, or vomit or eat poorly. As the disease progresses, patients may have seizures.

Q. How is meningitis diagnosed?

A. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap.

Q. Can meningitis be treated?

A. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with several antibiotics. It is important that treatment start early. Appropriate treatment should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to less than 15 percent, although the risk is higher among the elderly.

Q. Is meningitis contagious?

A. Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., coughing and kissing) but not as easily as the cold or flu. They are not spread by casual contact or by breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.

Q. Are there vaccines against meningitis?

A. There are vaccines against Hib, against some serogroups of N. meningitidis and many types of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Source: Center for Disease Control