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What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a sudden illness caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis. This bacterium infects the bloodstream (meningococcemia) or the meninges, a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).  When caused by bacteria, meningitis is a very serious infection requiring treatment with antibiotics.

Where does it come from?

N. meningitidis is carried in the nose and throat of up to 25%of healthy adults and children. Though these individuals may not exhibit symptoms or illness, they can spread the bacteria to others.

How is it spread?

It is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of a carrier or ill person:

§         Saliva to saliva contact

§         Sneezing or coughing directly in another person’s face

§         Four or more hours of direct face to face contact during the week prior to them becoming ill

Rarely, transmission occurs by sharing eating utensils, glassware, cigarettes, or toothbrushes, but can occur when people sleep near each other or share a household.

Who is at risk for illness?

Close contacts can include household members, intimate contacts, health care personnel performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and day care center playmates. Casual contacts such as classmates or co-workers usually do not require treatment unless they shared beverage containers, cigarettes, objects entering the mouth, or if they had face to face contact in an enclosed space contact for 4 or more hours in the week prior to the individual’s illness

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is more common in infants and children. Recent studies have shown that  smokers andchildren exposed to tobacco smoke are at higher risk for infection. Overcrowding, climateconditions such as a dry season, prolonged drought, or dust storms, and upper respiratory tract infections may contribute to the development of epidemics. College freshmen living in dormitories may be at higher risk.

Protecting Those at Risk

People who may have had four or more hours of direct face to face contact with a person ill with meningococcal disease should contact their primary health care provider and ask about the need for preventive medication.

What are the symptoms?

Although most people exposed to the meningococcal bacteria do not become ill, a few can develop fever, intense headache, vomiting, stiff neck, cough, runny nose, and an unusual spotty pink rash. Some people quicklydevelop infections of the blood or brain, which can be fatal. Even with treatment, about 10 percent of severe cases are fatal. Up to 25 percent of patients who recover have damage to the nervous system.

How soon do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually appear within two to ten days after exposure.

How long is an infected person contagious?

A person can transmit the bacteria from the time they are first infected until bacteria are no longer present in discharges from the nose and throat. This is generally 2 weeks, but there can be and increased risk of contagion for up to 60 days.  The most infectious period begins within 3 days of becoming ill and continues until 24 hours of treatment has been received.   A person can be contagious even without any symptoms.

What is the treatment?

Meningococcal disease is treated with intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization.

Is there a vaccine available?

There is a vaccine that will protect against some types of N. meningitidis, but it is only recommended in outbreaks of this disease, or for travel to areas of the world with high rates of the disease. Vaccination of college freshmen living in dormitories for the first time is being encouraged.  The vaccine provides protection against  meningococcal disease of specific types, but does not eliminate the bacteria from the throat. Immunized persons can still potentially transmit the disease to others.

How common is meningococcal disease in Oregon?

Over the last two years there have been about 50 cases per year. Of 100 people who get meningococcal disease, about 5 to 15 die despite good medical care.

What should I do if I suspect someone in my family has meningococcal disease?

If you or anyone in your family exhibits severe symptoms of meningococcal disease, contact your primary health care provider immediately.

Where can I get more information?

www.cdc.gov

www.ohd.hr.state.or.us