Meningococcal meningitis and septicemia

That’s quite a mouthful to say, Meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Let’s break it down so it is more easily understood. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection (Neisseria meningitides). It occurs commonly in two forms: inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis) or a severe blood infection (meningococcemia) also known as septicemia.

Meningococcal septicemia is a bacterial infection in the blood stream. This form of the disease can sometimes occur suddenly and be rapidly fatal. Both forms of the disease may result in complications such as gangrene, loss of limb, brain damage and death.

The bacterium first infects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, usually without any symptoms. In fact, some people may carry the bacteria at any given time without becoming ill at all. For some unknown reason in some people the bacteria passes through the mucous membrane and reaches the blood stream, causing meningococcal meningitis. When illness occurs, it does so within three days of exposure, but can develop as long as 10 days later. The disease is most common during winter and spring.

The Meningococcal bacteria cause more infections than just meningitis. Those with the bacteria in their bodies can have: pneumonia, heart and eye infections and arthritis.

Symptoms
Symptoms occur within 2-10 days (usually 3-4 days) after the person has been exposed to the meningococcal bacteria. Meningitis usually begins with flu-like symptoms, which begin suddenly, and progress to high fever, lethargy, photophobia, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, and stiffness and pains in the neck, shoulders, and back. Often a skin rash of tiny bright red spots appears. As the illness progresses, you can have multiple organ failure, shock and even death.

It is interesting to note the likeness and differences in Meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Both are medical emergencies and require immediate medical attention. Septicemia is far more serious as it gets into the bloodstream. Ten times more people will die of Septicemia than Meningitis.

A person with septicemia will not likely have a headache, stiff neck, or neck pain. Septicemia infections almost always result in a rash; meningitis infection will sometimes cause a rash but not always. It is the most specific and most noticeable symptom of septicemia, primarily because it does not fade under pressure.

Diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by culture. Treatment is penicillin or a 3rd-generation cephalosporin.

Prevention
Meningitis can be spread by any close contact with a sick person. This means you should not eat or drink from the vessels of an infected person. Do not use their toothbrush. Don’t share a cigarette and don’t pucker up and kiss them on the lips.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against some forms of meningococcal meningitis. The vaccine for meningococcal meningitis is an injectable, inactivated-bacteria vaccine. It protects against 4 types of the disease (known as A, C, Y, and W-135) It is about 85-90% effective against these types. The vaccine does not protect against meningococcal disease type B.

Treatment for prevention

If you have had close contact with the person with meningitis, see your doctor to get on preventive medication. This includes; room mates, boy/girl friend and family living with the infected person.

People of high risk
• Children between 6 mo and 3 yr
• Adolescents
• Military recruits
• College freshmen living in dormitories
• People with complement deficiencies
• Microbiologists working with N. meningitidis isolates
• Elderly

Although anyone can be a carrier of the bacteria, certain social behaviors encourage its growth:

• Exposure to passive and active smoking
• Bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption
• Patients with respiratory infections
• Compromised immunity
• Those in close contact to a known case
• Travelers to endemic areas of the world

Meningococcal meningitis and septicemia are both serious illnesses that you should be aware of. Especially in teenagers as they seem to be at high risk. Knowledge is your weapon against meningitis.

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