Meningococcal Disease

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a sudden illness caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis. This bacterium infects the bloodstream (meningococcemia) or the meninges, a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

Where does it come from?

N. meningitidis is carried in the nose and throat of many healthy adults and children. Though these individuals may not exhibit symptoms or illness, they can spread the infection to others.

How is it spread?

By direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of a carrier or ill person. The organism cannot be spread simply by being in the same room with an infected person. Rarely, transmission occurs by sharing eating utensils, glassware, cigarettes, or toothbrushes, but can occur when people sleep near each other or share a household.

What are the symptoms?

Although most people exposed to the meningococcal bacteria do not become ill, others can develop fever, cough, runny nose, intense headache, stiff neck, and unusual skin lesions. There may be a fine spotty pink rash that progresses to dark patches. Some people develop infections of the blood or brain, which can be fatal. Even with treatment, about 10 percent of severe cases are fatal. Up to 25 percent of patients who recover have chronic damage to the nervous system.

How soon do symptoms appear?

Symptoms appear two to ten days after exposure.

How long is an infected person contagious?

A person can transmit the disease from the time they are first infected until bacteria are no longer present in discharges from the nose and throat. The contagious period varies according to treatment. A person can be contagious even without any symptoms.

Who is at risk for illness?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is more common in infants and children. Recent studies have shown that children exposed to tobacco smoke are at higher risk for infection. Overcrowding, climatic conditions such as a dry season, prolonged drought, or dust storms, and upper respiratory tract infections may contribute to the development of epidemics. College freshmen living in dormitories may be at higher risk.

What is the treatment?

Meningococcal disease is treated with injected or intravenous antibiotics. Oral antibiotics like rifampin are given to reduce the number of meningococcal bacteria in the nose and throat. These antibiotics are given to close contacts of cases with meningococcal disease.

Who should be treated?

People who may have had direct contact with the nose and throat discharge of an infected person should contact their primary health care provider about treatment with antibiotics. Close contacts can include household members, intimate contacts, health care personnel performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and day care center playmates. Casual contacts such as classmates or co-workers usually do not require treatment unless they shared beverage containers, cigarettes, or objects entering the mouth.

Is there a vaccine available?

There is a vaccine that will protect against some strains of N. meningitidis, but it is only recommended in outbreaks or for travel to areas of the world with high rates of the disease. The exact length of protection is not known, but appears to be about three years in persons four years of age or older. The vaccine provides contacts protection against meningococcal disease, but does not eliminate the bacteria from the throat. Immunized persons can still potentially transmit the disease to others.

How common is meningococcal disease in Washington?

There are typically 75 to 125 cases a year. Clusters or outbreaks of meningococcal disease are rare in the United States, although southwest Washington and the Portland have seen an unusually high number of cases since 1992.

What should I do if I suspect someone in my family has meningococcal disease?

If you or anyone in your family exhibits severe symptoms of meningococcal disease, contact your primary health care provider immediately.

Where can I get more information?

Call  your local health department or Communicable Disease Epidemiology, (206) 418-5500 or toll-free 877-539-4344.

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Last Update : 11/28/2007 04:46 PM
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