What is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis, commonly known as bacterial meningitis, is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.
Meningococcal meningitis can affect the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), cause an infection in the bloodstream (meningococcemia),
or both.
Meningococcal meningitis is a medical emergency and can cause death in as little as twenty-four hours in an otherwise healthy person.
Although meningococcal meningitis is most common in infants less than one year of age and people 16 - 23 years of age, it's important to know that meningococcal meningitis knows no boundaries and can affect anyone at any age.
Meningococcal meningitis can
affect all ages, but…
• Young adults (16-23), including high school students, are at increased risk because of how they socialize.
• College students are 5x more likely to contract MenB as compared to non-college students.
How is Meningococcal Meningitis Spread?
Meningococcal bacteria are spread from person to person through direct contact with large droplet respiratory secretions (saliva or spit) from patients or asymptomatic carriers during close or lengthy contact (for example, sharing drinking glasses or kissing).
People who are close contacts, such as living in the same household, roommates, or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend), would be considered at increased risk of getting the infection. Close contact includes activities such as kissing, sneezing, or coughing on someone, sharing water bottles, lipsticks, e-cigarettes, mouthpieces on musical instruments, sharing eating/drinking utensils, or sharing cigarettes with someone who is sick.
Fortunately, the bacteria are much harder to spread than the virus that causes the flu (influenza) and cannot live outside of the body for very long. The bacteria are not spread by casual contact, such as simply breathing the same air in the same room as someone who is sick, or where someone carrying the bacteria has been, or by handling items that they have touched.
The bacteria live in the nose and throat of about 10% of the population. Although some people who have the bacteria may show no signs or symptoms of the disease (disease carriers), they can still transmit it to others. Carriage rates—those who have the bacteria and can transmit the disease to others—are highest among adolescent populations, with a peak prevalence of 23·7% in 19-year-olds. You can get meningococcal meningitis from a person who acts and looks healthy.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of meningococcal meningitis often resemble the flu or other less serious illnesses, making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms can appear quickly or over several days—typically within 2-7 days after exposure to the bacteria.
Sudden high fever
Nausea and vomiting
Red-purplish skin rash
Weakness, feeling very ill, confused
Stiff neck
Cold hands and feet
Headache
Eyes sensitive to light
Muscle and body aches
How is it treated?
Meningococcal meningitis is treated with antibiotics. When given shortly after the start of symptoms, antibiotics may prevent the disease from getting worse. Unfortunately, even with proper treatment, 10-15% of people with meningococcal disease die, and many others are affected for life. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease should also receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.
About 1 in 5 survivors live the rest of their lives with permanent disabilities, such as limb amputations, kidney disease, seizures, deafness, and intellectual disability.
This is why keeping up to date with available and recommended vaccines is the best defense against meningococcal meningitis.
How can you protect yourself?
•
How can you protect yourself? •
You must have received protection against serogroups A-B-C-W-Y to be fully immunized against meningococcal meningitis. Few people have recieved all necessary vaccines. Ask your healthcare professional today.
What vaccines are available to protect against meningococcal meningitis?
There are three types of meningococcal vaccines currently available in the United States to help protect against the five most common types of bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis: A, B, C, W, and Y. Most adolescents and young adults have received the MenACWY vaccine, but few have received the MenB vaccine, which became available in 2014.
MenACWY
Vaccine
MenABCWY
Vaccine
MenB
Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that:
All 11 to 12-year-olds should get a single dose of a MenACWY vaccine and a booster dose at age 16.
Teens and young adults (16 through 23-year-olds) may also get a MenB vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.
People need multiple doses of a MenB vaccine for the best protection.
People must get the same brand for all doses.
MenABCWY vaccination is an option for people 10 years or older who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit.
NOTES: MenACWY, MenB, and MenABCWY vaccines are covered by public and most private health insurance; MenB vaccination can be given at the same time as the MenACWY vaccine booster dose at different anatomical sites if feasible or the new MenABCWY can be considered.
The bottom line for Meningitis B vaccines:
It is the responsibility of the health care provider to discuss the Meningitis B vaccine with their adolescent patients and their parents. However, we know that providers do not always have this discussion with their patients. That is why we also encourage parents to talk to their provider directly about the vaccine by proactively asking, “Has my child received a separate MenB vaccine?”
