Rogue Community College students in Medford have been notified that a fellow student was at school earlier this month while infected with bacterial meningitis, officials said.

The female student attended RCC classes in Medford while ill during the second week of January, said Mary Louise Doran, dean of the Medford Riverside campus.

The student, who initially thought she was suffering from a severe cold or flu, spent last week in a Medford hospital recovering from her illness. She has been responding to medication, Doran said.

A family member of the infected student notified RCC officials last week, prompting the school to contact the Jackson County Health Department.

"Their suggestion was to put up fliers to let students know there was a confirmed case of meningitis," Doran said.

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The posted fliers inform students about the disease and advise them that if they have any symptoms to contact the health department or a physician. Doran said fliers were also distributed to RCC’s main campus near Grants Pass, because many students and teachers spend time at both locations.

A few students who worked closely with the infected woman obtained medication from doctors as a preventive measure, Doran said.

"It is scary when you hear about it at first," she said. "But we’re doing all we possibly can, and I think we have things under control."

RCC President Peter Angstadt said county health officials also contacted businesses and staff at other buildings where the student reported going while sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningococcal disease is an infection of spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain. It can be caused by a virus or any of several kinds of bacteria. High fever, headache and stiff neck are the most common symptoms, and they often develop within one day of contracting the disease.

Experts say the bacteria typically spreads through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions in activities such as coughing and kissing, but is not as contagious as the common cold or the flu. In some cases, bacterial meningitis can be severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability, according to the CDC.

Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail jmoran@mailtribune.com.