Neisseria meningitidis is a bacteria that can cause infections in the body. One area this bacteria can infect is the meninges. The meninges is the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial infection of the meninges, called bacterial meningitis , can cause death within hours. Quick diagnosis and treatment are vital.
The disease is usually spread by direct contact with discharge from the mouth or throat of an infected person (eg, kissing). In general, it is not spread by casual contact.
The disease is most common in:
About 2,600 people in the US develop the disease each year. Approximately 10%-15% of these people die. Another 11%-19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have nervous system problems, become mentally retarded , or suffer seizures or strokes .
Symptoms of meningitis include:
Symptoms in newborn and infants can be hard to distinguish. These may include:
When treatment is provided immediately, more than 90% of all people with the disease survive. Treatment may include:
There are two meningococcal vaccines available in the US:
Both are made from parts of the meningococcal bacteria. Neither contains live bacteria.
The MCV4 vaccine is recommended for all children at their routine pre-adolescent visit (11-12 years of age). In addition, for adolescents entering high school who have never gotten MCV4, a dose is recommended before high school entry. The vaccine is also recommended for people at increased risk for meningococcal disease, including:
With the MCV4 vaccine, certain high-risk people should be revaccinated, including those who:
The timing of revaccination with MCV4 changes with age. High-risk people need another vaccine if:
MCV4 is also recommended for high-risk people who received MPSV4 three years ago.
The MCV4 vaccine is preferred for children 2-10 years old who are in a high-risk group. MCV4 is also the preferred vaccine for people aged 11-55 years of age. MPSV4 can be used if MCV4 is not available.
The meningococcal vaccine, like all vaccines, has the potential to cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of the vaccine causing serious harm or death is extremely small.
Mild problems associated with the vaccine include redness or pain at the injection site or a fever. Rarely, people who have received the MCV4 vaccine have developed a serious nervous system disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome .
If you have the following conditions, you should not get the vaccine:
The vaccines may be given to pregnant women. However, the MCV4 vaccine has not been extensively studied in pregnant women. It should be used only if it is clearly needed.
Preventive antibiotics may be given to people in close contact with an infected person, such as:
In the event of an outbreak, close contacts of infected people and people at increased risk should get the vaccine. Antibiotics may be recommended for people in close contact.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Immunization Initiatives
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.cispimmunize.org/
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
References:
Bacterial meningitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated April 2009. Accessed August 8, 2009.
Meningitis. Immunization Action Coalition website. Available at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/. Accessed February 6, 2007.
Meningitis questions and answers. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html. Updated June 2009. Accessed October 2, 2009.
Meningococcal disease. DermNet NZ website. Available at: http://dermnetnz.org/bacterial/meningococcal-disease.html. Updated June 2009. Accessed October 2, 2009.
Meningococcal disease. Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. Available at: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/FactSheets/Meningococcal.htm. Updated November 2008. Accessed October 2, 2009.
Meningococcal vaccination. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/default.htm. Accessed February 6, 2007.
Vaccine information statements. Immunization Action Coalition website. Available at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/. Accessed February 6, 2007.
1/31/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years—United States, 2008. MMWR. 2008;57;Q1-Q4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5701a8.htm. Updated January 10, 2008. Accessed January 28, 2008.
10/6/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for revaccination of persons at prolonged increased risk for meningococcal disease. MMWR. 2009;58(37):1042-1043. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5837a4.htm. Published September 25, 2009. Accessed October 2, 2009.
Last reviewed November 2009 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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