LEBANON, Tenn. - The death of a 5-year-old kindergartner due to bacterial meningitis over the weekend motivated the Wilson County school district to hand out preventative antibiotics to other students.
Two days after Ian Tisdale's death, parents of his classmates are still in shock.
"That is absolutely horrible," said mother Jenna Holloway. "I couldn't imagine if I had to go through it. I would be heartbroken."
The concern for the family soon turned to their own children who were in contact with Ian.
"I've been a nervous wreck all night, me and my wife both worried to death about it," said Grandfather James Naron.
To help ease the minds of many parents, the Wilson County School District provided preventative medicine to all Southside Elementary kindergarten students on Tuesday.
The district decided to provide medication to all the kindergarten students because the Wednesday before school let out they held water day. That's when all the students played together with a water hose and they feared the spread of germs.
"We do know that this child suffered from meningococcal meningitis, which is the most severe type," said Tom Jones with the Tennessee Department of Health.
Jones with the Tennessee Department of Heath said symptoms of fever and stiff neck typically happen within 3 to 4 days of coming in contact with a person carrying the bacteria.
On Tuesday, all kindergarten students were given preventative medication they will have to take for two days.
Health officials said at this point, they believe all students at Southside Elementary are no longer at risk.
Jones with the State Health Department said there is a vaccine for meningitis, but it is not generally recommended for children until they are 11 or 12-years-old.
