The meningococcus is a bacterium that can be found at the back of the throat or in the nose in about 10% of the community at any given time. Although most people who 'carry' this germ in their throat or nose remain quite well, they are able to spread it to others, a few of whom may subsequently become very ill. It is spread in the fine droplets that are shed through coughing, sneezing and spluttering.
Meningococcal disease is a severe infection that occurs when the meningococcal germ 'invades' the body from the throat or nose. It does not occur in people who carry the germ but rather occurs in people who have very recently (within the previous 7 days) acquired the germ from a healthy carrier.
Meningococcal disease occurs in two main forms or it can occur as a combination of these two forms. Meningococcal septicaemia occurs when the germ invades the bloodstream and causes blood poisoning. Meningococcal meningitis occurs when the germ infects the outer lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Meningococcal septicaemia, also known as meningococcaemia, can be very serious and cause death after even a very short illness. The patient usually is obviously sick, has a fever and may have marked joint or muscle pains; and there is often a rash. The rash may start anywhere on the body as tiny red or purple spots but they soon spread and enlarge to look like fresh bruises; the rash does not fade when pressure is applied to it, eg. with the thumb.
The rash must be taken seriously as the person requires urgent medical attention
The typical symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, a stiff neck, severe headache, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, joint or muscle pains, drowsiness and even coma; there may also be a rash with the same features as those described above. The symptoms of meningococcal meningitis in young babies may differ from those detailed above and include: refusing feeds, vomiting, a high pitched moaning cry, irritability and a dislike of being handled, a blank staring expression, lethargy or drowsiness and a pale blotchy complexion.
Although the germ is spread in droplets that are shed from the nose or throat it is not, fortunately, easy to catch the disease. This is because the meningococcal germ does not survive for long outside the body. Close and prolonged contact with a carrier is usually required for the germ to spread to other people.
Because the germ is not easily spread, meningococcal disease is uncommon. Young children under 5 years of age, and young adults (15 - 24 years of age) are at highest risk of acquiring meningococcal disease, and there is usually a seasonal increase in the winter to early spring months.
Even though it is hard to catch and uncommon, meningoccecal disease is a feared infection that is often featured in the media. This is because it can be fatal, even in healthy young adults, and because outbreaks of meningococcal disease, although very infrequent, can occur.
Cigarette smoking, both active and passive, appears to increase the risk of a person developing meningococcal disease. This is yet another reason to stop smoking and to stop adults smoking near young children.
There is a small, but real, risk for those who live in the same house as a person with meningococcal disease to also develop the disease. This is because the carrier who infected the patient is able to spread the germ to others. There is no accurate and quick test to identify the carrier so all of the 'household contacts' of the patient are regarded as potential carriers.
Instead, public health authorities attempt to contact these household contacts to explain to them the nature of the disease and to dispense a short course of an antibiotic. The purpose of the antibiotic is to eliminate the germ from the nose or throat of the carrier. Cases of disease may occur despite taking the antibiotic so the contacts must also be told to be aware for the symptoms of the disease.
Sometimes other contacts are also identified by public health authorities and given the above mentioned advice and antibiotic. However it is very important that the public health authorities are involved in the identification of other contacts because the antibiotic should be used very carefully.
Yes, but is not suitable for routine use in Australia. This is because it does not protect against the commonest strain of the meningococcal germ, known as the group B strain, which commonly occurs in Australia. Another problem with the current vaccine is that it does not protect children less than two years of age who are more prone to develop the disease than older people. Research is in progress to develop vaccines that protect even young children against all the common strains of the meningococcal germ.
Information on meningococcal disease is available on our website at http:www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs. Please click on 'You've Got What' in the 'About PEHs' section and scroll down to topics listed under the letter m.
For further information please contact us on (08) 8226-7177 (24 hours/7 days).