Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Meningococcal Disease

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I.      What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection, and most commonly leads to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

II.      What causes meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. There are five types of bacteria (or serogroups) for meningococcal disease that circulate worldwide: A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Evidence shows approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases in the college age group are caused by serogroup C, Y, or W-135, which are potentially vaccine-preventable.

III.      How many people get meningococcal disease each year?

Meningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of meningitis. Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.

IV.      How serious is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal infection is contagious and progresses very rapidly. It can easily be misdiagnosed as the flu or other minor febrile infections, and, if not treated early, meningitis can lead to death or permanent disabilities. One in five of those who survive will suffer these long-term side effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or limb amputation.

V.      How is meningococcal disease spread?

Meningococcal disease is spread person-to-person through the air by respiratory droplets (e.g., coughing, sneezing). The bacteria also can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, such as oral contact with shared items like drinking glasses, eating utensils and through kissing.

VI.      What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

Symptoms of meningococcal disease often resemble those of the flu or other minor febrile illnesses, making it sometimes difficult to diagnose.  Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and confusion. Students who notice these symptoms in themselves, friends or others should contact their college health service or hospital immediately.

VII.      What are the complications of meningococcal disease?

If not treated early, meningococcal disease can lead to death or permanent disabilities. One in five of those who survive will suffer long-term side effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or limb amputation.

VIII.      Who is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain groups, though, are at higher risk. These include infants, adolescents, and college students, particularly those living in residence halls. Disease rates decline after infancy, but begin to rise again in early adolescence, peaking between the ages of 15 and 20 years.

Due to lifestyle factors, such as crowded living situations, bar patronage, active or passive smoking, irregular sleep patterns, and sharing of personal items, some college students may be more likely to acquire meningococcal disease than the general college population.

IX.      Should I be vaccinated?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College Health Association (ACHA), and Thomson Student Health Center recommend that all first-year students living in residence halls be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. Other college students under 25 years of age who wish to reduce their risk for the disease may choose to be vaccinated. The vaccination is available at Thomson Student Health Center.

X.      Who should be vaccinated?

·          All first-year students living in residence halls

·          Undergraduate students 25 years of age or younger who wish to reduce their risk for the disease may choose to be vaccinated

·          Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency, chemotherapy, immuno-suppressants)

·          Other groups (non-college age) are recommended for vaccination

o         Students at the time of high school entry

o         Young adolescents at the pre-adolescent doctor visit (11 to 12 years of age)

o         Travelers to endemic areas of the world

o         Lab workers with potential exposure to meningococcus

XI.      How effective is vaccination?

The meningococcal vaccine provides protection against four of the five types of N. meningitidis bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in the United States – types A, C, Y, and W-135. In persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially vaccine-preventable strains.

XII.      Is vaccination safe? Are there any adverse side effects?

The vaccine is safe, and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent. The most commonly reported reactions by adolescents and adults in clinical studies were pain at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. These respond to simple measures (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and resolve spontaneously within a few days.