Mystery illness sent 8 Marine Recruits to hospital

8 Marine recruits tested for meningitis, released
CBS 8
Posted: Mar 07, 2014

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Eight Marine recruits who were hospitalized in isolation at Naval Medical Center San Diego overnight for treatment of meningitis were released early Friday after medical tests for the disease came back negative, a center spokeswoman said.

The recruits, whose names and hometowns were not released, were admitted to the center's emergency room around 9 p.m. Thursday and released back to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego this morning, said Sonja Hanson, a public affairs officer for the medical center.

According to Hanson, the recruits all presented similar symptoms, including some common with an upper respiratory infection. Five appeared to have more severe cases and were given medication to prevent illness, she said.

While the Marines were in isolation rooms within the center, tests were run to determine whether they had bacterial or viral meningitis.

Meningitis attacks the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is generally less severe, while the bacterial form of the illness can result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The tests conducted overnight turned out negative for both forms of the disease, Hanson said.
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