Understanding Meningitis
- Tara Ly
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Meningitis is a medical condition triggered by either a viral or bacterial infection that results in the inflammation of the membranes ‘meninges’ lining of the brain.
Meningococcal disease is a rare bacterial infection (Neisseria Meningitidis) that causes Meningitis.
Meningitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. But Meningococcal Disease is caused by a bacterial infection.
Regardless of it being viral or bacterial, Meningitis is an extremely dangerous medical condition with a high mortality rate because a patient’s condition can deteriorate very quickly.
While it occurs all year-round, cases typically peak in winter and spring.
Survival of meningococcal disease depends on early diagnosis of symptoms. These may mimic those associated with common viral infections. However, once the infection is established, symptoms can progress rapidly, and death can occur within hours of the onset of symptoms.
There are 13 known meningococcal serogroups - A, B, C, W and Y are the most common.
Between 5 and 25 per cent of people carry meningococcal bacteria at the back of the nose and throat without showing any illness or symptoms.
Infants, small children, adolescents and young adults are most at risk.
Vaccination remains the best prevention strategy.
The same bacteria that cause Meningococcal Disease are also associated with septicaemia/sepsis (blood poisoning). Patients can suffer meningitis and septicaemia at the same time.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease?
Symptoms are non-specific, which means that they can be hard to identify. These may include:
Sudden onset of fever
Headache
Neck stiffness
Joint pain
A rash of red-purple spots or bruises
Dislike of bright lights
Nausea & vomitting
Young children may have fewer specific symptoms, which may include:
Irritability
Difficulty waking
High-pitched crying
Refusal to eat.
Not all symptoms may be present at once.
Sometimes the classic symptoms may follow fewer specific symptoms, including leg pain, cold hands and abnormal skin colour.
The typical meningococcal rash doesn't disappear with gentle pressure on the skin. Not all people with meningococcal disease get a rash, or the rash may occur late in the disease.
Meningococcal disease can sometimes follow on from other respiratory infections.
People who have symptoms of meningococcal disease should see a doctor urgently, especially if there is persistent fever, irritability, drowsiness or lethargy, a child is not feeding normally, or symptoms have come on or worsened very quickly.
If you have already seen a doctor but symptoms continue to worsen, call your doctor or call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
How is it spread?
Meningococcal bacteria are not easily spread as the bacteria doesn’t survive well outside the human body.
It’s not easily spread by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes and typically requires close and prolonged contact with a person carrying the bacteria who is usually completely well (e.g., living in the same household, 'close and prolonged contact' or intimate (deep) kissing).
Who is at risk?
Meningococcal disease can affect anyone, however there are certain groups that are at higher risk. These include:
Household contacts of patients with meningococcal disease.
Infants, small children, adolescents and young adults.
People who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke.
People who practice intimate (deep mouth) kissing, especially with more than one partner.
People who have recently had a viral upper respiratory tract illness.
Travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease.
People without a working spleen or who have certain other rare medical conditions.
People who have had only minor exposure to someone with meningococcal disease have a very low risk of developing the disease.
Healthcare workers are not at increased risk unless they have been directly exposed to a case's nasopharyngeal secretions (for example, if they performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or intubated a patient without using a face mask).
How is it prevented?
Vaccination is the key prevention against meningococcal disease. There are two meningococcal vaccines available:
Meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine provides protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y.
Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine protects against some strains of meningococcal serogroup B.
Because routine childhood vaccines do not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, parents and childcare workers must be alert for the symptoms and signs of meningococcal disease, even if the child has been vaccinated.
Vaccinations
Free meningococcal vaccines (ACWY and B) are available in Australia under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for specific eligible groups, including children (12 months), adolescents (14–16 years/Year 10, or 15–19 years depending on program), and those with certain medical risk conditions
Don't put you or your family at risk. Talk to us today about your vaccination options.
CALL US ON 9319 7547 OR VISIT US AT 788 BOURKE STREET WATERLOO
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