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Frequently
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Meningococcal
Meningitis
Frequently
Asked Questions
The
DISEASE:
- What
is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal
meningitis is a bacterial
infection that causes
inflammation of the
membranes surrounding
the brain and spinal
cord. It is caused
by the bacterium Neisseria
meningititidis,
also known as meningococcus.
- What
are the symptoms?
Symptoms
include fever, severe
headache, stiff neck,
rash, nausea, vomiting,
and lethargy. The infection
can lead to permanent
disabilities, such
as hearing loss and
brain damage. Despite
antibiotic treatment,
10% of people with
meningococcal meningitis
die each year from
the disease.
- What
is meningococcemia?
Sometimes
the meningococcal bacteria
can infect the bloodstream.
This infection is termed
meningococcemia. It
can lead to kidney
and heart failure,
and like meningococcal
meningitis, can result
in severe disability
and death. 20% of patients
with meningococcemia
die from the infection.
- How
is the disease spread?
The
infection is spread
by direct contact with
infected individuals
(for example, sharing
a glass or cigarette,
or kissing) or through
the air via droplets
of respiratory secretions
(for example, coughing
or sneezing).
- How
common is meningococcal disease?
Neisseria
meningitis is the
second most common
cause of bacterial
meningitis in the United
States, responsible
for 3,000-4,000 cases
each year. While meningococcal
disease overall remains
relatively rare, the
number of outbreaks
has been on the rise
in recent years. Whereas
there were only 13
outbreaks during the
12 year period from
1980 to 1991, at least
33 outbreaks hit in
just the five years
between 1992 and 1996,
according to the Centers
for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
- Why
are college students at great
risk for meningococcal disease
than the general population?
While
the reasons are not
yet fully understood,
studies from previous
college outbreaks suggest
that college students
are more susceptible
because they live and
work in close proximity
to each other in residence
halls and classrooms.
Behavioral and social
aspects of college
life appear to be risk
factors as well, such
as smoking, alcohol
consumption, risky
sexual behaviors, and
kissing, all increasing
the chance that one
will contract meningitis
from an infected individual.
The
VACCINE:
- Is
there any way for college students
to protect themselves against the
threat of meningococcal disease?
Yes.
Safe, effective vaccination
can provide protection
against four out of
the five strains of
the disease (serogroups
A, C, Y, and W-135,
there is currently
no vaccine for serogroup
B). These four strains
cause nearly 70% of
meningococcal meningitis
cases on college campuses.
- Why
should college students consider
preventive vaccination with the
meningococcal vaccine?
In
the past, vaccination
usually has been delayed
until an outbreak of
meningitis occurs.
The problem with this
strategy is that outbreaks,
while rare, are clustered
in time, and that the
onset of these flu-like
symptoms is extremely
rapid. Often, one does
not have characteristic
symptoms of meningitis
until it is too late
for the vaccine to
provide real protection.
The American College
Health Association
(ACHA) and the Advisory
Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) have
recently recommended
that all college students
consider vaccination
against meningitis.
According to the ACIP
research, the incidence
of meningitis is "highest
among freshman dormitory
residents".
- What
are the side effects of the vaccine?
How safe is it?
The
meningococcal vaccine
has an excellent safety
profile. Side effects
are mild and infrequent,
consisting primarily
of redness and swelling
at the site of injection
lasting up to two days.
Meningococcal immunization
should be deferred
during any acute illness.
The vaccine should
not be administered
to women who are pregnant
or individuals sensitive
to thimerosal or other
components of the vaccine.
- How
effective is the vaccine and how
long does it last?
The
vaccine has been shown
to create protective
levels of antibodies
against the four most
common strains of meningococcus
in over 90% of adults
studied. As with any
vaccine, meningococcal
vaccination may not
protect 100% of susceptible
individuals. Protection
from the vaccine lasts
for at least 3-5 years.
- Can
college students do anything else
to reduce the risk of contracting
meningococcal disease?
Maximize
your body’s own immune
system. Eat a balanced
diet, and get adequate
sleep and exercise.
Avoid cigarettes, cigars,
recreational drugs,
and excessive use of
alcohol. In particular,
do not share drinks.
- Will
my insurance company reimburse
for this vaccine?
Many
insurance companies
do not currently reimburse
the cost of the meningitis
vaccine. The reason
for this is that the
recommendation for
meningitis vaccination
is a fairly recent
one, and many insurance
companies are not aware
of the increased risk
which college students
face. It is best to
check with your individual
insurance carrier.
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