Did you know? Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that most often leads to meningitis, a rare but potentially fatal infection of the blood.
Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis that are spread person-to-person through the air (usually by sneezing or coughing), through direct contact with an infected person, such as oral contact with shared items like cigarettes or drinking glasses, or through intimate contact, such as kissing.
Meningococcal disease can lead to death or permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or limb amputation.
What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is contagious and progressed very rapidly; it can easily be misdiagnosed as the flu. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, purplish rash, nausea, vomiting, dislike of bright lights (photophobia) fatigue, and confusion. Symptoms may develop over several hours or may take 1 to 2 days. If you notice these symptoms you should contact your student health services or local hospital immediately.
Who is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?
Anyone 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.
Due to lifestyle factors, such as crowded living situations, bar patronage, active or passive smoking, irregular sleep patterns, and sharing of personal items, some college students may be more likely to acquire meningococcal disease than the general college population.
Certain conditions also increase a person’s susceptibility to the disease. Persons with immature or damaged immune systems are at increased risk. Respiratory tract infections also increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. There also may be certain genetic factors that increase the risk of infection.
Reduce the Risk.
University and college students can reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal disease by maximizing your body’s own immune response, eat a balanced diet, and get adequate sleep and exercise. Avoid cigarettes and excessive use of alcohol; in particular, do not share drinks and cigarettes and by getting vaccinated.
Vaccination NEW: A reformulated meningococcal vaccine (“conjugate”) called Menactra is now available that has the potential to provide longer duration of protection against four of the five strains (or types) of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.
What if I got Menjugate® in school should I still get Menactra® ?
There are 5 strains of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease types A, B, C, Y and W-135. There is no vaccine available for B strain. Menactra® helps protect four of the five strains and Menjugate® helps protect against the C strain (the most common strain in Canada). It is safe to get Menactra® if you have already received Menjugate® and it is recommended if traveling to areas where meningococcal disease occurs.
Cost Menactra® costs $110.00 Menjuagate® costs $90.00 for those born before 1985. It is available for free for those born in 1985 or after.
How do I get this vaccine? You can make an appointment with a doctor at WLU Health Services by calling 519-884-0710 ext 3146 or you can go to your family doctor. The doctor can answer any questions you have and order the vaccine.
Vaccination is safe and effective. It protects against four of the five most common strains (or types) of bacteria that cause meningitis. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases in the college age group are caused by strains that are potentially vaccine-preventable. The most commonly reported adverse reactions among adolescents and adults in clinical studies were pain at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. These respond to simple measures (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and resolve spontaneously within a few days.
