VA Tech Student's Life Saved By Radical Treatment

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (CBS/WUSA) -- A Virginia Tech student came awfully close to death about 10 days ago. Doctors and nurses at two different hospitals recognized what he had as spinal meningitis.

The doctors came up with a radical treatment that saved Scott Riley's life.

Doctors are considering this 19-year-old sophomore from Midlothian very lucky. He went to Montgomery Regional Hospital last Thursday, complaining of flu like symptoms.

They sent Riley home with some anti-nausea medicine, recommending he drink plenty of fluids.

When Riley awoke from a nap, he felt worse. So he went back to the hospital-this time sporting a rash on his legs and feet.

He ended up in the emergency room at Montgomery Regional. However, it wasn't until an RN noticed the rash in the lower extremities that ultimately saved his life, athough the diagnosis was half the battle.

By the time Riley arrived at the second hospital, Lewis Gale Hospital, his kidneys were shutting down, his heart and lungs failing, and he had a severe blood infection.

Doctors say Riley had a very high risk of dying, period.

Dr. Killeen came up with a treatment that ultimately saved Riley's life. Dr. Killeen used a treatment called Xigris, a protein that reversed the life-threatening effects of his infection.

Dr. Killeen explains, "It's not on the list of things that you typically use."

However, the Xigris treatment worked. Scott Riley is due to check out of the hospital on Tuesday, spend a week at home and go back to Tech.

He has to get that degree in Fishery Science, so he can try to save the Chesapeake Bay.

Scott says, "Yes, I've seen it deteriorate over the years, so I want to help that."

Meningitis is highly contagious. So Montgomery Regional and Virginia Tech health officials rounded up more than 100 students and staff who'd come in contact with Riley to treat them with the antibiotic Cipro.

According to the Mayo Clinic, basic Meningitis symptoms include:

-High Fever

-Severe Headache

-Vomiting

-Seizures

-Sleepiness

-Difficulty waking up

-Loss of appetitie

-Some cases a skin rash exists