Meningococcal disease
What will happen to me?
Most people who get meningococcal disease get better. However, it can be a dangerous illness, and some people do die from the infection. Others are left with a serious disability.
This page talks about what happens to someone who has meningitis or blood poisoning (
septicemia) caused by a type of bacteria called meningococcus. If someone is ill because of these bacteria, doctors say they have meningococcal disease.
septic shock
Septic shock is a serious condition caused by a large number of bacteria getting into your blood. It's also called septicaemia, sepsis or blood poisoning. Usually, when bacteria get into your blood, your immune system kills them. But if your immune system isn't working well, it can get overwhelmed. Then, the bacteria multiply and start to release poisonous chemicals (called toxins) into your blood. These chemicals cause your blood pressure to drop massively. When this happens, organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys and liver may not be able to work properly because they aren't getting enough blood. Septic shock needs to be treated urgently, usually with antibiotics, to stop these vital organs failing and to prevent death.
Septic shock is a serious condition caused by a large number of bacteria getting into your blood. It's also called septicaemia, sepsis or blood poisoning. Usually, when bacteria get into your blood, your immune system kills them. But if your immune system isn't working well, it can get overwhelmed. Then, the bacteria multiply and start to release poisonous chemicals (called toxins) into your blood. These chemicals cause your blood pressure to drop massively. When this happens, organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys and liver may not be able to work properly because they aren't getting enough blood. Septic shock needs to be treated urgently, usually with antibiotics, to stop these vital organs failing and to prevent death.
It's also possible to get meningitis caused by a virus. Meningitis caused by a virus tends to be much less serious than meningitis caused by bacteria.
1 It's an unpleasant illness, but serious health problems are less likely than with meningococcal disease.
Source:
Logan SA, MacMahon E.
Clinical review: viral meningitis.
BMJ. 2008; 336: 36-40.
Logan SA, MacMahon E.
Clinical review: viral meningitis.
BMJ. 2008; 336: 36-40.
If doctors think that you might have meningococcal disease (meningitis, septicemia or both), you'll be treated quickly. You'll
be given
antibiotics, possibly on the way to the hospital. Once you arrive, doctors will need to do tests, such as a spinal tap. This is when a needle is put into your lower back to take out some fluid and test it for
bacteria. You may be treated in an intensive care unit.
antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
About 9 in 10 people who get meningococcal disease will recover.
2 Sadly, out of people who get better, about 1 or 2 out of 10 will be left with some lasting disability.
2
Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Disabilities can happen because of the damage the bacteria can do to someone's body.
- Meningococcal meningitis causes swelling around the brain. This can cause damage to nerves in the brain.
- If someone has meningococcal septicemia, large numbers of the bacteria grow in their blood. The bacteria release poisonous chemicals that can damage blood vessels and organs.
If the damage is severe, it can cause long-term problems. For example, someone with meningococcal disease may lose their hearing,
have some brain damage, or need to have a limb or finger amputated.
Meningococcal disease is a dangerous illness, and not everyone who has it recovers. About 1 in 10 people who get meningococcal
disease will die.
2
Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
If you've been in close contact with someone who gets meningococcal meningitis or septicemia, your doctor will give you antibiotics.
This is to help keep you from getting the disease.
Close contact usually means that, in the seven days before the person you knew got meningococcal disease:
2
3
Source:
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.
Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
- You lived with the person
- You came into contact with the person's saliva (for example, by kissing)
- You sat next to the person on a long flight (more than eight hours)
- Your child was in daycare with the person.
It's important to get treatment if you've come into contact with someone who has meningococcal disease. But your risk of catching
the disease from someone living in the same house as you is fairly low. Without treatment, there's a 1 in 300 chance of getting
meningococcal disease after coming into contact with someone who has it.
4
Source:
Health Protection Agency.
Guidelines for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK.
August 2006. http://www.hpa.org.uk (accessed on 29 May 2008).
Health Protection Agency.
Guidelines for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK.
August 2006. http://www.hpa.org.uk (accessed on 29 May 2008).
Doctors sometimes give a vaccine to close contacts of people who get meningococcal disease.
To read more about vaccines, see Who should be vaccinated?
Sources for the information on this page:
- Logan SA, MacMahon E.Clinical review: viral meningitis.BMJ. 2008; 336: 36-40.
- Bilukha OO, Rosenstein N.Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations and Reports. 2005; 54: 1-21.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease.Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
- Health Protection Agency.Guidelines for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK.August 2006. http://www.hpa.org.uk (accessed on 29 May 2008).
This information was last updated on Nov 18, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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