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OCALA, Fla. (AP) - Those sickened with fungal meningitis face a long and uncertain path as they try to recover.

Many people have died days or even weeks after being hospitalized. Fungal meningitis - which is not contagious - is a tenacious disease that can be treated only with powerful drugs.

Experts say that the drugs themselves can be dangerous if they're not carefully administered and monitored.

One such patient is Vilinda York in Florida, who has been hospitalized since Sept. 27. She received three steroid shots at a Florida pain clinic and then suffered severe back pain and headaches. Doctors don't know when she might be able to go home.

Still, she's hopeful that she can recover, saying God still has a plan for her.