SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University officials are looking into the death today of a student as a possible case of bacterial meningitis.

Karl Schwab, spokesman, said this appears to be an isolated case, but the college is taking precautions.

That included sending an e-mail to all students and posting information about the illness on the university's Web site.

Benjamin Swantner, 20, was an education major living in the South Rock Apartment complex. He died about 3:30 Friday morning at Grove City Medical Center. He was from Natrona Heights.

Swantner showed symptoms of bacterial meningitis and his death is being treated as such, the university said.

However, nothing will be definitive until the state Department of Health finishes its investigation.

The illness causes swelling of the linings of the brain or spine. It requires an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications or death. Symptoms develop over a period of a few hours to two days.

The university is asking those who have had close contact to Swantner to call or visit the SRU health center. Close contact includes sharing food or drink, kissing, or prolonged close contact such as sitting next to an infected person in class or working with the infected person in small groups. The university provided Swantner's class schedule to students to help determine who needs to seek treatment.

His roommates already have received treatment, the university said.

Symptoms include complaints of headache, feeling hot and tired, excessive sleeping, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, high fever or chills, nausea and vomiting, confusion, a skin rash and sometimes seizures.

The university is offering counseling to students in need.