An overview of Meningococcal disease

 

Meningococcal disease is an infection which is caused by the bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis which is otherwise called meningococcus. This Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can infect the blood and meninges. Generally, this type of infection can be very serious and also it leads to death. Typically, they usually described it as meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicemia.

Meningococcal disease is a very rare disease but it is a very serious bacterial infection. It generally causes the membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord to become severely inflammation.

Without the help of prompt treatment, Meningococcal disease causes high risk and it can be fatal. But, if they catch the infection, one out of five people only have serious complications. According to the research of CDC, antibiotics help you only 10 to 15% of infected people will die and about 1 in 5 people will survive with long term illness like deafness, brain damage, neurological problems, and even loss of a limb.

Here we give you information about the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and  some other ways to prevent and treat the infection.

Causes of Meningococcal Disease or meningitis

Generally, the two main causes of meningitis are Bacteria and viruses. The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis also called meningococcus which causes a severe form of meningococcal meningitis. Particularly, in children and adults like teens, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis is meningococcus. And then followed by adults, it is the common cause.

Meningococcal bacteria might cause infection in some part of the body like the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory tract. But in some rare cases, this infection can spread to your nervous system through the bloodstream. When it reaches the nervous system, it causes meningococcal meningitis. It can also directly enter the central nervous system by having some surgery or infection or after a severe form of head trauma.

If you are exposed to the Neisseria bacterium that causes the infection and also it increases your risk of getting meningococcal meningitis. If you experience any upper respiratory infection, it also increases your risk. And particularly, babies, children, teens, and older are at high risk of getting it.

Few  Symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis?

Typically, symptoms will vary from case to case. Some common signs and symptoms are:

• Generally poor feeling

• Having high fever

• persistent headache

• Oftenly Neck stiffness

• Sudden nausea or vomiting

• Not comfortable in bright lights

• Always in Drowsiness or difficulty awakening

• More of Joint pains

• Lot of Confusions and other mental changes

A very important sight you look for is a reddish or purple skin rash called petechiae. If this purple skin does not turn to white while you press a glass against it, this may be a sign of bacteremia, or a bacterial infection present in the bloodstream. This needs an immediate medical emergency.

Other symptoms of meningitis or bacteremia may include:

• Tense or bulging soft spot like top of head in babies

• Severe high-pitched or moaning cry (in babies)

• More of Stiff, jerky movements or floppiness in babies or toddlers

• Sudden Irritability

• Fast breathing or hard to breathe 

• More of Lethargic or excessive sleepiness

• Appear Blotchy skin, turning pale or blue colour

• Severe Shivering, or cold hands and feet

• Sudden Seizure

How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

Meningococcal disease is hard to diagnose because symptoms of this infection resemble flu symptoms. Your doctor has to find the bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis to diagnose this disease. So, your healthcare provider takes samples of blood and spinal fluids by lumbar puncture or spinal tap to test.

These collected blood fluid samples are sent to a laboratory to check if the bacteria has grown. Your doctor also provides some other tests if the culture results are not conclusive.

Exams and Tests

Your doctor will provide a physical examination. Asking questions like symptoms and exposure to someone who are all having the same symptoms like stiff neck and fever.

If your doctor thinks that this is meningitis, a lumbar puncture or spinal tap will be done to get a sample of fluid in the spinal cord for testing.

Some other tests are:

• Blood culture

• Chest x-ray

• CT scan of the head

• White blood cell (WBC) count

• Gram stain or, other special stains, and 

• culture of the spinal fluid

How is meningococcal disease treated?

Typically, antibiotics are used to treat Meningococcal disease. If the doctor thinks you have a meningococcal infection, they start you with some antibiotics before they confirm the infection. As early as possible, you have to start the treatment.

Some other treatments needed,  which includes:

• Oxygen therapy for Help you with breathing,

• Use some medications to treat low blood pressure.

• Other ways of treating damaged or dead skin, like surgeries.

Possible Complications

Some long-term complications are:

• Brain damage

• Hearing loss

• Hydrocephalus - Buildup of fluid inside the skull which can be a brain swelling 

• subdural effusion - Fluids build between the skull and brain

• Myocarditis - more of Inflammation on heart muscle

• Sudden Seizures

When to Contact a Medical Professional

if you suspect meningitis infection in a young kid, you must call the local emergency ambulance number or you can directly go to an emergency room who has the following symptoms:

• Feeding difficulties

• More of High-pitched cry

• Sudden Irritability

• Prolonged unexplained fever

This Meningitis infection can be a life-threatening illness for some people.

Prevention

If you have close contacts with the same house compounds, schools or play schools like day care must look for signs of disease if someone is diagnosed. If someone is diagnosed with this infection, all family and close ones of this infected person should start their antibiotic treatment as early as possible to prevent the spread of the infection. Ask your doctor about this treatment during the first visit.

You should always follow good hygiene habits like washing hands before and after whenever changing a diaper or after the use of the toilet.

Meningococcus vaccines are very effective to control the spread of this infection. Doctors will  currently recommended for:

• Adolescents

• College students in their first year living in hostels or PGs

• Military recruits

• Travelers to certain parts of the world

In rare cases, vaccinated people also still develop the infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How can you get meningococcal disease?

Ans: People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria.

Q2. Can meningococcal be cured?

Ans: If it is caught early, meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics.

Q3. What age is meningitis for?

Ans: Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is most common in infants less than 1 year of age. 

Q4. Is meningitis a lifelong disease?

Ans: Most people make a full recovery from meningitis, but it can sometimes cause serious long-term problems and can be life threatening.

Q5. What is the cost of meningococcal vaccine?

Ans: Usually the meningococcal vaccine cost is found to average in between 500 to 5000 INR.