KILLEEN, Texas – The second-grade student who was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis earlier this week has passed away.

Second-grade student dies from meningitis

Was a student at Saegert Elementary School

Meningitis can kill in a matter of hours

Saegert Elementary School warned parents about the student diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis on Tuesday. Less than two days later, the elementary school student died.

The school has been disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectant to prevent the infection from spreading to other students. The infection can easily spread from person to person through germs.

The deadly bacteria can lead to death in a matter of hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Hundreds of people die from the infection every year. People who do recover from meningitis usually suffer from permanent disabilities like brain damage, hearing loss, and learning difficulties.

Counselors will be on campus at the elementary school to provide support for students.

Symptoms:

Parents are asked to keep an eye out for symptoms like fever, rash, headache, or stiff neck. Symptoms can show up quickly or take up to seven days after exposure. Anyone who thinks he or she might have meningitis should contact a doctor immediately.

Nausea

Vomiting

Sensitivity to light

Altered mental state

Neck stiffness

Slow

Vaccination

Doctors say the best defense against meningitis is vaccination. There are vaccines for all three types of bacterial meningitis.

The CDC highly recommends that all children at between 11 and 12 years old receive the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Another booster is given at 16 years old. Young adults and teens can also receive the vaccines from 16 to 23 years old.

Children can also be vaccinated between 2 months and 10 years old if they live in an area where the disease is common.

Currently, Texas parents are allowed to use medical and conscientious exemptions to keep children from being vaccinated.