Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is a form of meningococcal disease, which is an illness caused by the bacteria meningococci, also called Nisseria meningitidis. Although meningicoccal disease is quite rare, it is extremely serious. The infection can progress very rapidly and is fatal in roughly ten percent of cases. If the infection is diagnosed in the early stages and treated quickly with the correct antibiotics, most people will recover completely.
The common illnesses caused by meningoccal bacteria are:
- Meningitis- an infection in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
- Septicemia- infection in the bloodstream, or bacteria in the blood.
There are five types of meningococcal bacteria. In the United States, a vaccine is available that prevents infection with four of the five types of meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal disease occurs most frequently in the winter and spring months, although the disease can occur all year long and in any age group.
Meningococcal bacteria is a common bacteria that live naturally in the back of the nose and throat of approximately 5-15% of the population without causing any type of illness. People in any age range can be “carriers” of the germs without showing any form of illness. These carriers will develop immunity to the strains that they are carrying. Although all people are carriers at some point in their lives, carriers are most commonly young adults, particularly men and smokers.
In a very few people, a specific strain of the bacteria is able to get through the lining of the throat, and enter into the bloodstream and cause invasive meningococcal disease, in the forms of meningitis and septicemia.
It is quite difficult to spread the meningococcal bacteria, as they can only be transmitted from person to person through regular, close, extended household and intimate contact with secretions of the back of the nose and throat. Meningicoccal bacteria can only be found in humans and are not able to live outside of the body for more than a few seconds. The disease is not transmitted from the environment or animals. The majority of cases occur randomly and have no relation to any other cases. Outbreaks where more than one person is affected are very infrequent.
The following is a list of potential symptoms associated with meningococcal disease in older children and adults:
| - Headache | -Drowsiness |
| - Fever | - Confusion |
| - Stiffness in neck | - Rash of red-purple pinprick spots or larger bruises |
| - Sore or aching muscles | - Painful or swollen joints |
| - Nausea and/or vomiting | - Difficulty walking |
| - Diarrhea | - General malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) |
| - Loss of appetite | - Moaning, unintelligible speech |
| - Discomfort when looking at bright lights (also known as photophobia) | - Collapse |
The symptoms associated with meningococcal disease in infants and young children is similar to the list above, but may include the following additional symptoms:
| - Extreme tiredness or floppiness | - Irritability, fretfulness |
| - Moaning or grunting | - Turning away from light (photophobia) |
| - Refusal to eat | -Twitching or convulsions |
| - Dislike of being handled |
When to Seek Medical Attention:
- You know your family and friends better than anybody. If someone close to you is showing some of these symptoms, and you believe them to be much sicker than just a normal “bug”, you should seek immediate medical attention.
- In the very early stage of meningococcal disease, the symptoms can appear to be like other, less serious illnesses. Physicians may not immediately recognize the symptoms as being related to meningococcal disease. You should not hesitate to seek medical attention again-even if it has only been one hour since you were last at the doctor’s office.
- If a person seems to be sicker, has developed a sudden rash, or becomes drowsy, seek immediate medical help.
- Young adults should not be left alone if they suddenly develop a fever. There is a strong likelihood that they will become severely ill very rapidly.
Early Antibiotic Treatment is Critical:
- When meningococcal disease is suspected, an antibiotic is administered immediately. People with meningococcal disease are always admitted to the hospital and may have to be admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
- The earlier that treatment with antibiotics and other treatments begin, the less damage that the disease will be able to cause. However, this is an extremely serious infection , which has the potential to progress very quickly despite the best medical treatments.
People in Close Contact Should Consider Taking Antibiotics
The majority of people who have had contact with an infected person, like coworkers or school friends, will not require antibiotics. However, very close contacts to a person who is infected, should be identified and offered a short course of antibiotic treatment in accordance with the public health guidelines for the management of meningococcal disease.
Close contacts may include some or all of the following:
- A girlfriend or boyfriend
- People who live in the same household
- Children in a day care center or preschool who have spent time in the same room with the infected person.
- Anyone who has stayed overnight with the infected person in the 7 days leading up to the appearance of the illness.
- Anyone who has kissed or shared eating utensils, toothbrushes, drink containers, or cigarettes with the affected person.
**Please note: preventative antibiotics are only effective at getting meningococcal bacteria from the throat, but are not effective as treatment for meningococcal disease nor do they guarantee that an individual will not develop the disease.**
What to do if you see symptoms of meningococcal disease:
If you become aware of symptoms that could be associated with meningitis or septicemia, contact your doctor right away, call 911 to get an ambulance, or get to the closest hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. Remember that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to the patient’s survival.
