The female journalism sophomore diagnosed with a meningitis-like disease was released from Lansing's Sparrow Hospital last week, a source close to the student said Monday.

The student, who was a resident of the ninth floor on South Hubbard Hall, was diagnosed with meningococcemia on Jan. 24 and released March 18.

She is staying at home for the remainder of the school year and will return to MSU in the fall, the source said.

Hospital officials confirmed the student is no longer in the hospital's care.

Meningococcemia is a potentially fatal bacterial blood infection which inflames blood vessels. The student is believed to have contracted the B-strain of the meningococcal bacteria - the same bacteria that causes meningitis.

Four of the five strains of the bacteria - A, C, Y and W-135 - can be prevented by the meningitis vaccine.

However, the vaccine does not protect against the strain the student is believed to have had.

Both diseases are contracted through close personal contact such as kissing and sharing food utensils, toothbrushes or drinking glasses.

Of the six cases of bacterial meningitis at MSU since 1996, three were fatal.

Kendra Snyder