Provided by the Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago, IL -
WHAT IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are called Neisseria meningitidis. The infection usually occurs either as an inflammation of the outer coverings of the brain and spinal cord, or as a severe blood infection.
WHO CAN GET MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Anyone can get the disease. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease first infect the inside of a person’s throat and nose, and most often cause no symptoms at all. In fact, 5 to 10 percent of all people may carry Neisseria meningitidis in their noses at any given time without becoming ill. In a small proportion of infected people, the bacteria pass into the bloodstream, causing illness. These illnesses almost always occur within 4 days of having been exposed to the bacteria, but sometimes it can take as long as 10 days.
HOW IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE USUALLY TRANSMITTED?
The bacteria that cause this disease are spread by kissing the lips of another person, other direct contact with saliva (sneezing or coughing directly in another person’s face), sharing items that have been in another person’s mouth or nose such as beverage glasses, cigarettes, pipes, drinking straws, drug paraphernalia, and eating utensils (such as cups, spoons).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Meningococcal disease usually starts with a sudden onset of severe illness fever and headache. A stiff neck may also develop, and rash often occurs. Nausea and vomiting sometimes are present as well, but are not by themselves indicative of meningococcal disease unless the other symptoms happen as well. Persons developing symptoms of meningococcal disease need to get immediate medical attention.
HOW IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
Meningococcal disease is diagnosed by examining a person's blood or spinal fluid and finding Neisseria meningitidis. Physicians may suspect meningococcal disease based on a person’s symptoms.
ARE MEDICATIONS EFFECTIVE AGAINST MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Yes. If treated promptly with the correct antibiotics, medications can be effective against meningococcal disease.
HOW CAN MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
-People who are experiencing symptoms of illness (sudden onset of severe illness with stiff neck, fever, headache, and/or rash) should be seen by a physician right away.
-People who have had close personal contact (see above) with a person known to have meningococcal disease should contact their personal physician or the Communicable Disease Program (312-746-6110) to discuss whether there is a need for antibiotics.
-People can reduce the possibility of exposure to the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease by not sharing items, such as cups, spoons, cigarettes, pipes, drinking straws, or drug paraphernalia that have been in another person’s mouth or nose.
-In some settings for certain strains of meningococcal bacteria, vaccination might be recommended to prevent illness.
Chicago Department of Public Health - http://www.ci.chi.il.us
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are called Neisseria meningitidis. The infection usually occurs either as an inflammation of the outer coverings of the brain and spinal cord, or as a severe blood infection.
WHO CAN GET MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Anyone can get the disease. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease first infect the inside of a person’s throat and nose, and most often cause no symptoms at all. In fact, 5 to 10 percent of all people may carry Neisseria meningitidis in their noses at any given time without becoming ill. In a small proportion of infected people, the bacteria pass into the bloodstream, causing illness. These illnesses almost always occur within 4 days of having been exposed to the bacteria, but sometimes it can take as long as 10 days.
HOW IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE USUALLY TRANSMITTED?
The bacteria that cause this disease are spread by kissing the lips of another person, other direct contact with saliva (sneezing or coughing directly in another person’s face), sharing items that have been in another person’s mouth or nose such as beverage glasses, cigarettes, pipes, drinking straws, drug paraphernalia, and eating utensils (such as cups, spoons).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Meningococcal disease usually starts with a sudden onset of severe illness fever and headache. A stiff neck may also develop, and rash often occurs. Nausea and vomiting sometimes are present as well, but are not by themselves indicative of meningococcal disease unless the other symptoms happen as well. Persons developing symptoms of meningococcal disease need to get immediate medical attention.
HOW IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
Meningococcal disease is diagnosed by examining a person's blood or spinal fluid and finding Neisseria meningitidis. Physicians may suspect meningococcal disease based on a person’s symptoms.
ARE MEDICATIONS EFFECTIVE AGAINST MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?
Yes. If treated promptly with the correct antibiotics, medications can be effective against meningococcal disease.
HOW CAN MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
-People who are experiencing symptoms of illness (sudden onset of severe illness with stiff neck, fever, headache, and/or rash) should be seen by a physician right away.
-People who have had close personal contact (see above) with a person known to have meningococcal disease should contact their personal physician or the Communicable Disease Program (312-746-6110) to discuss whether there is a need for antibiotics.
-People can reduce the possibility of exposure to the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease by not sharing items, such as cups, spoons, cigarettes, pipes, drinking straws, or drug paraphernalia that have been in another person’s mouth or nose.
-In some settings for certain strains of meningococcal bacteria, vaccination might be recommended to prevent illness.
Chicago Department of Public Health - http://www.ci.chi.il.us
