Illness quickly overwhelms student

By TIMES STAFF
Published September 25, 2007

Delta Gamma sorority members mourn at a memorial service held at the Martin Luther King Plaza on campus for USF student Rachel Futterman, 19, who died Monday of bacterial meningitis. Video: Memorial service Video: USF officials speak View photos Sudden death stuns campus Q&A
	[Brian Cassella | Times]

Thursday: Rachel Futterman works a midday shift at Gators Dockside, a restaurant near the University of South Florida, then hangs out at her sorority house. That night, she attends a campuswide sorority dinner with her sisters from Delta Gamma.

Late Thursday/early Friday: Futterman complains she feels slightly nauseated and calls her symptoms a stomach bug.

Friday: Futterman still feels nauseated, spends the day in bed, watches television, sleeps and is tended to by her sorority sisters. She complains of a headache and flu-like symptoms.

Saturday: About 7 a.m., Futterman's roommate, sophomore Amber Powers, is awakened when Futterman begins kicking during what friends describe as a seizure. Powers calls 911, and Futterman is admitted to University Community Hospital.

At first, friends are under the impression from officials that Futterman has viral meningitis, a serious but more treatable condition.

That afternoon, Futterman is described as possibly having bacterial meningitis.

Sunday: By noon, Futterman is declared brain-dead.

Monday: Futterman dies. University officials hold a memorial service on campus.

Sources: Delta Gamma sorority, Gators Dockside, University of South Florida

[Last modified September 25, 2007, 00:18:36]