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What Is Meningococcal Disease? Meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious illness that usually appears as meningitis or septicaemia. 'Meningitis' means an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. 'Septicaemia' means blood poisoning, which is a more widespread infection throughout the body. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called 'meningococci'. There are a number of different groups of meningococci. In Victoria most disease is caused by two groups, namely Group B and Group C. How Serious Is Meningococcal Disease? Although meningococcal disease is uncommon, it is a very serious disease. The infection can develop very quickly, and can be fatal in about 10% of cases. If infection is diagnosed early enough and the right antibiotics are given quickly, most people make a complete recovery. About a quarter of people who recover experience after-effects. Some of the more common after-effects include headaches, deafness in one or both ears, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), blurring and double vision, aches and stiffness in the joints, and learning difficulties. Most of these problems get better with time. Where Do Meningococci Come from? Meningococci are common bacteria, and about one in ten people 'carry' them at the back of the throat or nose. Carriers are more often young adults, and less often children and older people. Meningococci are only found in people, and never in animals or the general environment. What Is a Meningococcal 'Carrier'? Almost all adults and children can carry these germs without ill effects. Research shows that being a carrier usually protects people against dangerous meningococci. People become carriers without knowing they have caught the germ, and will get rid of it naturally, without treatment, after a few weeks or months. Who Catches Meningococcal Disease? Meningococcal disease can occur at any age, but babies and children less than 5 years of age are most at risk. Teenagers and young adults aged 15-24 years are also at increased risk. For people who become sick, the average time between being infected and becoming ill is about 4-5 days, but can be up to 10 days. Sometimes small outbreaks occur affecting more than one person, but usually each case is unrelated to any others. Someone with meningococcal disease will become very ill, usually feeling sicker than they have ever felt before. There are many symptoms of meningococcal disease, although a few are especially important. Most cases may have only a few of these symptoms, and they hardly ever happen all at once. The symptoms of meningococcal disease include: In infants and young children:
In older children and adults:
Young children may not complain of symptoms, so fever, pale or blotchy complexion, vomiting, lethargy (blank staring, inactivity, hard to wake, or poor feeding) and rash are important signs. Signs and symptoms sometimes appear very quickly, and people with meningococcal disease can get much worse within a few hours. In meningococcal septicaemia, a rash is always a very important sign. Most cases have pale, blotchy skin when they first become ill. About two thirds of people go on to develop a patch of pinprick blood spots that sometimes spread to form bruises under the skin. The rash can appear anywhere on the body. You know your family and best friends better than anybody else. If somebody close to you has some of these signs, and appears to you to be much sicker than usual, seek medical help immediately. Young adults should not be left alone if they are sick. How Is Meningococcal Disease Spread? The disease is difficult to spread but may be passed on from person to person by sharing saliva, for example by mouth kissing or sharing drink bottles. The germs cannot live for more than a few seconds outside a human body, therefore they cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, buildings or factories. The bacteria are only spread by close contact. Family members, close friends, and kissing contacts of a case may spread the germs amongst each other. Close contacts in residential accommodation, such as student halls of residence and military camps, may be at greater risk of meningococcal disease. If you think a person has the symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY or go to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Rapid identification and treatment of close contacts of a case is also important. How Is Meningococcal Disease Treated? If a case of meningococcal meningitis or septicaemia is suspected, an antibiotic is given immediately by injection and the patient is admitted to hospital. Can Meningococcal Disease Be Prevented? People who get meningococcal disease are more than three times as likely to be in close contact with smokers. Recent viral illness (especially influenza) is also more common. Avoiding smoky and dusty places might also help to prevent infection. Basic hygiene can help prevent many diseases, including meningococcal disease. It is good to wash your hands before eating and after coughing and sneezing, and cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to stop the spread of germs. Teach children not to share spoons, forks, cups, soft drink cans or sports water bottles. Adults should not share personal items such as glasses, cigarettes, lipstick or other things that may be covered in saliva. There is a vaccine against some types of meningococci (including group C). Unfortunately, the vaccine does not protect children under the age of two, and immunity only lasts for 3-5 years. The vaccine is not 100% effective, and is not suitable for general immunisation, although it can be used in specific outbreaks. There is no vaccination against Group B, which causes most meningococcal disease in Victoria. What Happens when a Case Occurs? Very close contacts of a case are given antibiotics to prevent further spread of infection. These people are members of the same household, a girl/boyfriend, or children in a day care or pre-school that the case attends. Other contacts, such as school friends and work mates, do not usually need treatment. Whenever a case occurs, the Department of Human Services will advise what should be done, and will make sure all close contacts are treated with the right antibiotics to stop the infection spreading. Close contacts only need to be treated and this will be organised by the Department of Human Services. Giving antibiotics to people who do not need them may cause problems. Once a person has recovered from meningococcal disease he/she will not be infectious, and they can safely return to child care, school, or work. Household contacts should be excluded from school or child care until they have had antibiotics for 48 hours. What Should I Do if My Child Has Had Contact with Meningococcal Disease? The disease is not normally spread through schools or work places. Watch carefully for any sign of illness in your child, and seek attention immediately if you are concerned. For further information contact the Communicable Diseases Unit, Department of Human Services on Telephone: (03) 9616 7777. See In your language
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