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Meningitis and the New Vaccine

By Julia Ransohoff, high school student writer and Robin Drucker, M.D.

Have you heard about meningitis in the news lately? You may have because it is a serious illness, and there is a new vaccine for people 11 to 55 years of age.

What is meningitis?

Let's start with the meninges. These are membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain. If someone has meningitis, these membranes are infected or inflamed. There are two kinds of meningitis: viral and bacterial.

Why is meningitis in the news?

Meningitis is a rare, contagious disease. There are often outbreaks in colleges and dorms. This is serious because even though some people recover, it can still cause brain damage. Meningitis can also lead to death if left untreated.

How would someone get it?

Viral meningitis can be caused by many different viruses. Some of these are called enteroviruses, which infect the body though feces, spit or snot. In extremely rare cases, someone could get meningitis as a result of chickenpox, but kids are usually vaccinated against chickenpox between 1 to 2 years of age.

Bacterial meningitis can be passed from one person to another because it is contagious. It is important to wash your hands if you sneeze or use the bathroom to prevent getting meningitis, and to not share food or kiss anyone since people are most contagious before they have any symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

• Sudden fever
  
• A bad headache that lasts more than a few hours
  
• Back or neck stiffness
  
• Eyes that are irritated by light or are painful
  
• Throwing up
  
• Nausea, or a stomach ache
  
• Extreme fatigue
  
• Delirium or confusion
  
• Rash from tissue damage (in the later stages)

Don't some of those symptoms sound a lot like the flu?

Yes, which is which is why a lot of people don't go to the doctor right away, and often wait until it is too late. If you have some of these symptoms, it is important to go to the doctor just to be safe.

How does the doctor know if someone has meningitis?

The doctor performs a procedure called a spinal tap. The doctor takes a sample of fluid from the spine using a needle and then tests the fluid to see if there is an infection around the spinal cord. They also look for bacteria so they know which medicine will be the right treatment.

How is meningitis treated?

There is no cure for viral meningitis, but it is usually not as serious as bacterial meningitis. Someone with viral meningitis might need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks until they feel better.

Bacterial meningitis can be very serious, and someone infected may have to stay in the hospital and have medicine given to them through an IV. They will also be given sugar and minerals through the IV to give them nourishment and make them heal sooner.

Is there a way to prevent meningitis?

• While most kids were vaccinated before the age of two for two other types of bacterial meningitis, there is now a new vaccine for meningococcal meningitis.
  
• While vaccinations can lower the chances of contracting bacterial meningitis, the vaccines can wear off so you should ask your parents if you are up to date on vaccinations.
  
• To prevent meningitis, do not share food, drinks or utensils with other people.
  
• Wash your hands before you eat and after you sneeze or use the bathroom.

What is the new vaccine?

• There is a new vaccine on the market for people 11 to 55 years of age that helps prevent bacterial meningitis.
  
• Doctors recommend that students are vaccinated before they go to college because there is an increase in the amount of college students with this disease.
  
• It is now recommended that children who are 11 to 12 get vaccinated along with students entering high school.
  
• The vaccine is supposed to be effective for about 10 years.

While meningitis cannot be completely prevented, there are many steps you can take to prevent it from happening to you.


Sources:

National Meningitis Association, Accessed June 2004.

Meningitis, Kidshealth.org, Accessed June 2005.

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