What is meningococcal disease?
Immunization Requirements: Health Services: Adelphi Universi...Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord).
Related QuestionsWelcome to Health Education ServicesMeningococcal disease, commonly known as meningococcal meningitis, is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or a serious blood infection (meningococcemia). The disease affects nearly 3,000 Americans annually. Approximately 10 percent of those who contract the disease will die. Of those who survive, nearly 20 percent suffer long-term disabilities, including brain damage, loss of hearing, organ failure and limb amputations.Related Questions
How common is meningococcal disease?
FIU University Health ServicesNeisseria meningitis is the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, responsible for 3,000-4,000 cases each year. While meningococcal disease overall remains relatively rare, the number of outbreaks has been on the rise in recent years. Whereas there were only 13 outbreaks during the 12 year period from 1980 to 1991, at least 33 outbreaks hit in just the five years between 1992 and 1996, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Related QuestionsWho gets meningococcal disease?
Immunization Requirements: Health Services: Adelphi Universi...Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but is more common in infants and children. For some college students, such as freshman living in dormitories, there is an increased risk of meningococcal disease. Between 100 and 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses every year in the United States; between five and 15 college students die each year as a result of infection.
Related QuestionsWhat is the treatment for meningococcal disease?
Immunization Requirements: Health Services: Adelphi Universi...Antibiotics, such as penicillin G or cefriaxone, can be used to treat people with meningococcal disease.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
Welcome to Health Education ServicesMeningococcal disease is often misdiagnosed as something less serious, because early symptoms are similar to the flu and may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting, exhaustion and/or a rash. Not all of these symptoms need to be present. Due to the commonality of these symptoms to less serious viral infections, disease prevention is critical.
Related QuestionsCan meningococcal disease be prevented?
Welcome to Health Education ServicesTeenagers and college students can help reduce their risk of contracting meningococcal disease by being vaccinated. Immunization can help prevent up to 83 percent of cases among adolescents and young adults. Teenagers and college students also can reduce the risk of transmitting the disease by not sharing personal items (e.g., utensils, waters bottles, drinking glasses). The U.S.
Related QuestionsMeningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesMeningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal, bacterial infection, and most commonly leads to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.Related Questions
How serious is meningococcal disease?
Meningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesMeningococcal infection is contagious and progresses very rapidly. It can easily be misdiagnosed as the flu or other infections characterized by fever, 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.
Related QuestionsHow do I get more information about meningococcal disease and vaccination?
Immunization Requirements: Health Services: Adelphi Universi...Contact your family physician or your student health service. Additional information is also available on the Web sites of the New York State Department of Health at www.health.state.ny.us, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DBMD/DISEASEINFO/, and the American College Health Association at www.acha.org.
Related QuestionsHow is meningococcal disease diagnosed? Is the disease treatable?
Welcome to Health Education ServicesDiagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid, obtained by performing a spinal tap (a needle is inserted into the lower back, where fluid in the spinal canal is readily accessible). Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics. Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics. Early treatment is essential to reduce the risk of death to less than 15 percent.
Related QuestionsWhy are teenagers and college students at risk for meningococcal disease?
Welcome to Health Education ServicesAnyone can contract meningococcal disease. However, studies show that teenagers and college students may be at increased risk for contracting the disease. In fact, teenagers and college students account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of reported meningococcal infection in the U.S. The good news is that up to 83 percent of meningococcal disease cases among teenagers and college students may potentially be prevented through immunization.
Related QuestionsHow is meningococcal disease caught?
Meningococcal Disease FAQsPeople often carry the meningococcal bacteria harmlessly in their nose and throat without getting ill. As many as 2 out of every 10 people may carry the bacteria in their throats. This figure can sometimes be as high as 5 in every 10 in specific communities. The bacteria (meningococci) can be spread by close contact with someone who is carrying it. This happens usually without causing harm. Close contact means:
Related QuestionsWho is most affected by meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal Disease FAQsMeningococcal disease can affect anyone but those under 20 years of age are at greater risk, with children under five years being most at risk. It is not known why some people come into contact with meningococcal bacteria get sick and others donā??t. out of every 100 cases of meningococcal disease occur in babies, children and young people aged 0-19 years. Close to 80 out of every 100 cases of meningococcal disease continue to be caused by meningococcal B disease.
Related QuestionsWhy do only some people get sick with meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal Disease FAQsMeningococci bacteria are often present in many people without causing disease, but on rare occasions they penetrate the defences of the lining of the throat to cause an invasive life-threatening illness. The reasons why this occurs in one person and not another is not known. Invasive disease is more common in infants and young people, and appears to occur in the first few days of exposure of a susceptible person, after which immunity develops.
Related QuestionsCan meningococcal disease be treated?
Meningococcal Disease FAQsYes, meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics. It is very important that antibiotic treatment is started early because death, disfigurement and disability can still occur despite early treatment.
Related QuestionsWhat causes meningococcal disease?
Meningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesMeningococcal disease is caused by Neisseriameningitidis, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. There are five types of bacteria (or serogroups) for meningococcal disease that circulate worldwide: A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Evidence shows approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases in the college age group are caused by serogroup C, Y, or W-135, which are potentially vaccine-preventable.
Related QuestionsHow many people get meningococcal disease each year?
Meningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesMeningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of meningitis in the United States. Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result.
Related QuestionsHow is meningococcal disease spread?
Meningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesMeningococcal 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.
Related QuestionsWho is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?
Meningitis FAQs - UNH Health ServicesAnyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain groups, though, are at higher risk. These include infants, adolescents, and college students, particularly those living in residence halls. Disease rates decline after infancy, but begin to rise again in early adolescence, peaking between the ages of 15 and 20 years.
Related QuestionsWhy are college students at great risk for meningococcal disease than the general population?
FIU University Health ServicesWhile the reasons are not yet fully understood, studies from previous college outbreaks suggest that college students are more susceptible because they live and work in close proximity to each other in residence halls and classrooms. Behavioral and social aspects of college life appear to be risk factors as well, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, risky sexual behaviors, and kissing, all increasing the chance that one will contract meningitis from an infected individual. Yes.
Related QuestionsCan college students do anything else to reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal disease?
FIU University Health ServicesMaximize your body's own immune system. Eat a balanced diet, and get adequate sleep and exercise. Avoid cigarettes, cigars, recreational drugs, and excessive use of alcohol. In particular, do not share drinks.
Related Questions