Reggie Ball diagnosed with Viral Meningitis

This e-mail went out today on the GT campus:


The Athletic Association reported on Sunday, September 18, 2005, that Georgia
Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was hospitalized with viral meningitis. Reggie's
prognosis is excellent and doctors plan to release him on Monday, September
19. While not wanting to alarm the campus, we wanted to make sure that
everyone in our community was aware of what viral meningitis is. Viral
meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is rarely fatal and
usually does not require antibiotics. It usually occurs during the summer
months and is less severe than other forms of meningitis. Viral meningitis
usually runs a course in three to five days without any specific treatment.

Bacterial meningitis is the more serious type of meningitis and can, in
some cases, cause severe long-term damage or death. No cases of bacterial
meningitis have been reported on campus at all.

If you would like more information on viral meningitis go to the Georgia
Tech Student Health Services Web site at:
http://www.health.gatech.edu/main/3_news/viral_meningitis.php
Students who may have any concerns about their health, should contact the
Student Health Center at 404-894-1423.

We wish Reggie a speedy recovery and continued good health to all of our
students, faculty, and staff.

Dr. Cindy Smith
Director, Student Health Services

Viral Meningitis is fairly benign, and Reggie should make a full recovery. Now the big worry will be whether or not he feels well enough to play on Saturday in Blacksburg. He's a tough kid (maybe too tough and confident for his own good at times) so I would expect him to get some snaps in practice this week and then a gametime decision on Saturday.