DENVER -- A 20-year-old University of Northern Colorado student has died from a form of bacterial meningitis, the Larimer County Coroner's Office said Wednesday.

Sierra Krizman died Tuesday at the McKee Medical Center Intensive Care Unit in Loveland after becoming ill from meningococcal sepsis, the coroner said.

Family and friends gathered at a home in Loveland Wednesday night, where the woman lived with her parents. A family friend told 7News, "She was an amazing woman, who always put her family first."

Another close friend said Krizman had been fighting flu-like symptoms for about a week before going to the hospital very early Tuesday morning. "Talking to her mom, she went to the hospital at 2 in the morning, by 9 a.m. she was gone." said a tearful Kyle Clegg from his home in Westminster.

Health officials are notifying people who may have had close contact with Krizman. The woman attended an informal gathering with friends from Colorado State University shortly before she became ill.

“There is very little risk in having been in class with this student,” said Adrienne LeBailly, Director of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. “It’s the very close friends and other contacts who should consider taking a preventive antibiotic.” LeBailly's statements were part of a statement released Wednesday night.

Krizman was a student at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and took classes at Front Range Community College. Information is being distributed on both campuses and at CSU as a precaution.

Meningococcal is a form of bacterial meningitis that infects the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. The disease can be spread by saliva droplets taken in through the mouth and nose.

Meningococcal disease is characterized by fever, aches, chills and, in some cases, a rash.

Meningococcal disease can result in serious infections of the lining of the brain, known as meningitis, or of the bloodstream, known as sepsis or bacteremia, or pneumonia.

In cases of meningococcal disease, bacteria float in the bloodstream. People infected with meningococcal disease can later develop meningitis, although the likelihood of that happening is low.

Although rare in the United States, the disease can be deadly.

There is a vaccination for meningitis and meningococcal that are strongly recommended for students living in school dorms. The vaccines for meningococcal are called Menomune and Menactra.

Friends say Krizman wanted to become a teacher and remain shocked of her sudden death. "She had laughter but you could lean on her for anything," Clegg said. "She was the strongest, emotional person I know."

For more information about meningitis and meningococcual visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site at www.cdc.gov.com.