CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- There were serious health concerns at Harvard University Monday after a student was hospitalized with meningitis.

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NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that, at worst, the brain-swelling condition can be fatal. The illness can be contagious with very close contact.

The university said the case is not the start of an outbreak, but since the bacterial form of the disease can be fatal, the school is taking every precaution.

Students living in Elliot House returned from spring break to an e-mail informing them that a housemate had been hospitalized with bacterial meningitis.

The student, a senior at the university, sought treatment this weekend at the university health center and was sent to a Boston hospital. According to school officials, he is in stable condition.

The case is the first case of meningitis at Harvard in more than five years.

The state's Department of Mental Health said bacterial meningitis can be serious and even fatal if not treated early. The disease is spread through close contact, mainly saliva through kissing, sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, sneezing or coughing.

"Because bacterial meningitis can be potentially fatal, it causes great concern amongst the community," said Harvard University's Dr. David Rosenthal.

Although the risk of contracting the disease is low, Rosenthal said the school sought to notify everyone who had been in close contact with the student over the past three weeks.

"Practically all of those individuals have been notified, contacted, and been given prophylactic antibiotics," said Rosenthal.

Most students said they felt comfortable returning to the dormitory.

"I've been away on spring break, I just got back last night, so I feel pretty comfortable coming back to the house," said sophomore Ryan Johnson.

"I've been vaccinated against it, so, not too worried, basically," said sophomore Rebecca Barron.

Rosenthal said for the past four years, Harvard has recommended that all students receive the meningitis vaccine before coming to campus.