Morehouse students taking antibiotics to prevent meningitis outbreak

ATLANTA - Classmates and relatives of a Morehouse College student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis are being given antibiotics to prevent the illness from spreading. <br> <br> The 18-year-old student, who was not identified, was being treated Friday at Gwinnett Medical Center. The student&#39;s condition was not available. <br> <br> As of late Friday, nine students who had been in close contact with the victim had been given antibiotics to protect them from the bacteria that causes the disease. The student&#39;s relatives also were treated. No other students have shown signs of the illness. <br> <br> Bacterial meningitis, which causes the lining of the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed, can cause seizures, comas and even death if not detected early. Symptoms of the illness include a severe headache and a stiff neck.