UPDATE: 4:38 P.M.: Contra Costa Public Health Department says it has concluded its investigation of a suspected case of meningitis case involving a student at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Lab tests could not confirm what kind of bacteria caused the meningitis in the student, who is recovering.

MORAGA (KRON) — A student at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga may have meningococcal meningitis.

The student was tested for the dangerous illness, but test results won’t be back until Tuesday afternoon.

The student was taken to the hospital and is currently being treated for the infection.

Saint Mary’s College has notified the Contra Costa Public Health Department, and are working with them in this suspected case.

Community members who may have come in contact with the possibly infected person were given prophylactic antibiotics Monday afternoon. The college is also cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms and classrooms as a precaution.

Any other students who are worried about exposure can go to the school’s health department for antibiotics.

Bacterial meningitis is usually a very severe illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, most people do recover from the illness, but it can cause brain damage, heading loss, or learning disabilities. The germs that cause meningitis are contagious, but are not spread by casual contact.

According to the CDC, in the United States, about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis, including 500 deaths, occurred each year between 2003-2007.

Meningitis infection may show up in a person by a sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. It will often have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), and altered mental status (confusion).

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure.

Babies younger than 1 month old are at a higher risk for severe infections, like meningitis, than older children. In newborns and infants, the classic meningitis symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to notice. The infant may appear to be slow or inactive (lack of alertness), irritable, vomiting or feeding poorly. In young infants, doctors may look for a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on infant’s head) or abnormal reflexes, which can also be signs of meningitis. If you think your infant has any of these symptoms, call the doctor or clinic right away.