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Overview

 

Definition

Meningococcal infections are caused by the bacteria (germ), Neisseria meningitidis.

  • The bacteria that cause meningococcal infections can be found in the nose and throat of 5 to 10 out of 100 people at any time.
  • However, less than 1 out of 100 of these infected people will develop invasive meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal bacteria can cause life-threatening infections including meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain), septicaemia (infection of the blood), and pneumonia.

  

Symptoms

Symptoms of meningococcal infection occur suddenly and can include:

  • Fever
  • Intense headache
  • Nausea and often vomiting
  • Bulging fontanelle (in infants)
  • Stiff neck; stiff back in older children
  • Pinpoint rash
  

Causes

Meningococcal infection is spread from one person to another by:

  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • close face-to-contact

It can also be spread through saliva or spit in activities such as:

  • kissing
  • sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, lipsticks, water bottles, mouth guards used for sports or mouthpieces of musical instruments
  

Complications

For every 100 people who get sick, up to 15 will die.

Permanent complications of infection include brain damage and deafness.

  

Tests and Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on cultures taken (most often of spinal fluid, blood, lung fluid, or joint fluid) to determine the infection is caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important for selection of the right antibiotics to treat the infection.

 

Treatment and Drugs

A person with a meningococcal infection is treated with antibiotics and is usually hospitalized.

Household and other close contacts (including children and staff in child care and preschool facilities) will be offered antibiotics and sometimes vaccine, depending on the type of meningococcal bacteria that is the cause.

  

Prevention

 

Some types of meningococcal infections can be prevented by vaccination.

  • At 2 and 12 months of age all children in BC are eligible for meningococcal type C vaccine
  • Certain medically high-risk persons are eligible for a meningococcal vaccine that protects against meningococcal bacteria types A, C, Y, and W-135

Wash hands well, especially after coughing and sneezing and before preparing foods or eating.

Don’t share food, drinks, cigarettes, etc.

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Last Updated: May 31, 2011