APhillipspage

Student Dies of Meningitis

Author Fred M. Peters Date 10/10/2005

Austin Phillips, a pitcher for the Apache baseball team and a freshman from Mansfield, Texas, died today at approximately
2 p.m., at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Phillips had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Services for Phillips are
pending.
"We are grieved and shocked," said Dr. Tim Drain, TJC director of intercollegiate athletics. "Austin has been in our minds
and our prayers since we learned of his illness." Phillips had sought medical attention in the Dallas area after becoming ill
Friday night. He was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and transferred to Parkland.
The Northeast Texas Public Health District was contacted and assisted TJC officials with identifying other students who
were at greatest risk of contamination. Students identified as of risk were issued prescriptions for an antibiotic. Other
students contacted the Campus Clinic today for examination and consultation.
Meningitis is an infection of the layers of tissue which cover the brain and spinal cord. It may be caused by many different
germs. It is generally a very serious illness which can result in blindness, deafness, amputations, permanent brain
damage, or even death. The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing
drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions. Adult
symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiffness of the neck, nausea and a skin rash that looks like small, purplish red
spots.
A moment of silence will be observed during the TJC volleyball game tonight in Wagstaff Gym. Licensed professional
counselors have been assigned to the intercollegiate athletic department to assist grieving teammates and friends.