Newest Newspaper Article- 2.21.07

This article was in today's newspaper (February 21st, 2007):

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS02/702210343/1018

White Plains student with meningitis comes home
By MELISSA KLEIN
THE JOURNAL NEWS

A college student from White Plains who contracted bacterial meningitis while studying in Spain was being evaluated at a New York City hospital yesterday after arriving back in the United States.

Mayra Rodriguez, 20, landed at LaGuardia Airport at 10 a.m. after flying overnight on an air ambulance. She was taken immediately to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan.

Irma Rodriguez said doctors were doing a battery of tests on her daughter, and the family did not have any information yet on her prognosis.

"It's a whole team of doctors and staff who are probably going to take a couple days to evaluate her," Rodriguez said.

Mayra, a junior at Binghamton University, became sick three weeks ago, shortly after arriving in Salamanca for a study abroad program. She was in a coma initially, but has made some progress and has been able to move around in her bed.

Her parents flew immediately to Spain to be with her and her father, Ramiro, accompanied her home on the air ambulance.

Irma Rodriguez, who flew home Monday, said Mayra has been calling out "mommy" and on Monday was able to repeat her own name.

Meningitis is an infection in the fluid that surrounds the brain. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, stiff neck, sore throat and vomiting.

Mayra was taken to a Salamanca hospital a day after complaining of a headache, sore throat and fever.

Mayra had been vaccinated against meningitis, but the vaccine does not protect against all strains of the illness.

Penny Judelson of White Plains has set up a fund to help defray expenses for the Rodriguez family.

Judelson said local businesses, college students and strangers were coming forward to contribute.

Judelson's daughter, Amanda, a close friend of Mayra's, held a party at the University of Pennsylvania last weekend that raised almost $700.

Contributions may be sent to Penny Judelson, Box 89, White Plains, N.Y. 10605-0089.

Checks should be made out to Mayra Rodriguez in care of Penny Judelson. Include your name and address with the contribution.

Reach Melissa Klein at mklein@lohud.com or 914-694-5063.