FAQ
About Meningococcal Meningitis
What
is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal
meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. The disease
is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection in the blood.
What
causes meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal
meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a leading
cause of meningitis and septicemia (or blood poisoning) in teenagers and
young adults in the United States. The number of cases caused by each type varies by location. Type C is associated with outbreaks in communities and schools, including colleges and universities. The propotion of disease caused by different types of the bacteria also changes over time.
How
many people contract meningococcal meningitis each year? How many people
die as a result?
Meningococcal
meningitis strikes about 1,400 - 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for
approximately 150 - 300 deaths annually. It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases
of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and 5 to 15
students die as a result.
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.
How
is meningococcal meningitis spread? What are the complications of meningococcal disease?
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 cigarettes or drinking glasses, and through kissing.
What
are the symptoms?
The early
symptoms usually associated with meningococcal meningitis include high fever,
severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, and may
resemble the flu. Because the disease progresses rapidly, often in as little
as 12 hours, prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to assuring recovery. Students who notice these symptoms in themselves, friends or others should contact their college health service or hospital immediately.
Who
is at risk?
Recent evidence
indicates that college students residing on campus in dormitories or residence
halls appear to be at higher risk for meningococcal meningitis than college
students overall. Further research recently released by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows freshmen living in dormitories
have a sixfold increased risk for meningococcal meningitis than college
students overall.
Although
anyone can be a carrier of the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis,
data indicate certain social behaviors, such as exposure to passive and
active smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption, may put
college students at increased risk for the disease. Patients with respiratory
infections, compromised immunity, those in close contact to a known case
and travelers to endemic areas of the world are also at increased risk.
Cases and outbreaks usually occur in the late winter and early spring when
school is in session.
How
often do outbreaks occur in the population at large? On college campuses?
From 1980
to 1993, there were 21 outbreaks, three of which occurred in colleges. From
1994 to 1996, there have been 26 outbreaks, four of which occurred in colleges.
Between 1986 and 1993, an outbreak was defined as five cases of the same
serotype in 100,000 people with at least three occurring within three months.
From 1994 to present, 10 cases of the same serotype in 100,000 people with
at least three occurring within three months constitute an outbreak.
Is
one type of serogroup of meningococcal meningitis more common in college
students?
Recent evidence
shows the epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis is changing, with a majority
of cases (65 percent) in the college-age group caused by either serotype
C, Y or W-135, which are all vaccine preventable. Rates of mortality and
complications are higher for these serogroups compared to serogroup B.
Does
the CDC recommend vaccination for college students?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) 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.
Why
should college students consider vaccination with the meningococcal vaccine?
Data from
the CDC demonstrate that sub-populations of college students are at increased
risk for meningococcal meningitis. Additionally, in persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by potentially vaccine-preventable strains.
Who
should consider being vaccinated?
-
Freshmen
college students, particularly those living in dormitories or residence
halls, who elect to decrease their risk for meningococcal meningitis
-
Undergraduate
students 25 years of age or younger who request vaccination in order to
decrease their risk for disease and are not pregnant
-
Students
with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen,
antibody deficiency, chemotherapy immuno-suppressants)
How
effective is the vaccine?
The meningococcal
vaccine has been shown to provide protection against the most common strains
of the disease, including serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. The vaccine is 85
to 100 percent effective in serogroups A and C in older children and adults.
Is
the vaccine safe? Are there adverse side effects to the vaccine?
The vaccine
is very safe and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily
of redness and pain at the site of injection, headache, and fatigue lasting up to two days. These respond to simple measures of over-the-counter medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) .
What
is the duration of protection?
The duration
of the meningococcal vaccine's efficacy is approximately three to five years.
As with any vaccine, vaccination against meningitis may not protect 100
percent of all susceptible individuals.
Does
UW-Stout Student Health Services offer the meningococcal meningitis vaccine
on campus?
Yes, the Student Health Services offers the meningococcal vaccine for all first-year students living in residence halls and any other college student less than 25 years of age who wished to reduce his or her risk for the disease.
What
is the cost of the meningococcal vaccine?
The cost
of the meningococcal vaccine is $85.00. Payment can be made by cash, check,
Base+, Flexline (campus card), Stout One card, and major credit cards (except Discovery).
Who
can students and parents contact for additional information on meningococcal
meningitis and the vaccine?
For additional
information on meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine, parents and students
can call UW-Stout Student Health Services, 715/232-1314 or in our Self-Care
section of the webpage.
