EL CAJON, Calif. -- A student at an El Cajon elementary school has contracted meningococcal disease, prompting county health officials Friday to notify parents and staff about possible exposure.

The Flying Hills Elementary School student was hospitalized and is recovering, according to Leslie Ridgeway, a spokeswoman for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

Officials with the Cajon Valley Union School District are notifying parents and staff about the possible exposure and alerting them to watch children for signs of meningococcal disease, according to the HHSA.

"We are glad the child is improving," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County's public health officer. "Meningococcal disease is spread by close contact," Wooten said.

"Parents should warn their children not to share food, drinks, water bottles and lip balm to reduce the spread of this and other diseases."

Symptoms of meningococcal disease, which take 3-4 days to appear after exposure, can include fever, intense headache, stiff neck and a rash that does not change color under pressure, according to the HHSA.

Anyone who develops any of the symptoms should be taken immediately to a health care provider or emergency room to be evaluated for possible meningococcal disease, according to the HHSA.