Meningococcal Disease - Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction:

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are frequently severe, can be fatal, and include infections of the brain and spinal cord lining (meningitis) and the bloodstream. Getting recommended vaccines on time is the best way to avoid meningococcal disease.

What Causes Meningococcal Disease?

The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal disease. One in every ten people has these bacteria in the back of their nose and throat without being sick. This is referred to as being a 'carrier.' Meningococcal disease is caused when bacteria invade the body and cause certain illnesses. Most diseases are caused by six serogroups (types) of Neisseria meningitidis: A, B, C, W, X, and Y. Most illnesses in the United States are caused by three of these serogroups (B, C, and Y).

Who Is At Risk Of Contracting The Meningococcal Disease?

Meningococcal disease can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in infants and children. People at risk include:

• People who live with a person with meningococcal disease, microbiologists, and military recruits.

• People with the weak immune system or suffering from diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

• People traveling to areas with more disease cases, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

• Gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), are at a higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease. Several outbreaks of meningococcal disease among MSM have been reported in the United States.

How Are Meningococcal Diseases Spread?

Meningococcal bacteria are spread by people through respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Close (coughing or kissing) or prolonged contact is required to spread these bacteria. They are, fortunately, not as contagious as pathogens that cause the common cold or flu. People do not contract the bacteria through casual contact or breathing in air contaminated with meningococcal disease.

Close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningococcal disease may cause the contract of the bacteria. Those who are more likely to become ill include:

• People living in the same house.

• Roommates.

• People who come in contact with the patient's oral secretions, such as a kissing partner, are at risk.

Close contacts of individuals who have the meningococcal disease should be given antibiotics to help prevent infection. This does not imply that the contacts are infected; the antibiotics are administered to keep them from becoming ill. Health departments investigate every case of meningococcal disease to identify all close contacts and ensure that they receive prophylaxis. Prophylaxis is not required for people without close contact with someone with meningococcal disease.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Meningococcal Disease?

Meningitis and septicemia are the two most common types of meningococcal infections. Both infections are extremely dangerous and can be fatal in hours.

Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is the type of meningitis caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal meningitis occurs when bacteria infect the brain and spinal cord lining, causing swelling.

The most common symptoms include:

• Fever.

• Headache.

• Stiff neck.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Photophobia.

• Altered mental status.

Newborns and babies may not exhibit the classic symptoms listed above or may be difficult to detect in babies. Instead, babies may be sluggish or inactive, irritable, vomiting, or have a bulging anterior fontanelle. Doctors may also examine the child's reflexes for signs of meningitis in young children.

Meningococcal Septicemia

It is a bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. When a person has meningococcal septicemia, bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, causing damage to the blood vessel walls. This results in skin and organ bleeding. Symptoms could include:

• Chills and fever.

• Fatigue (feeling tired).

• Vomiting.

• Cold hands and feet.

• Severe muscle aches.

• Pain in the joints, chest, or abdomen.

• Rapid breathing.

• Diarrhea.

• A dark purple rash appears in the later stages.

How Is A Meningococcal Disease Diagnosed?

The symptoms of meningococcal disease are often similar to those of other diseases; it can be difficult to diagnose. If doctors suspect meningococcal disease, they will take blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples (fluid near the spinal cord). The samples are sent for testing to a laboratory. If Neisseria meningitidis bacteria are found in the samples, the bacteria can be cultured (grown). Growing bacteria in the lab allows doctors to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection, which helps in treatment planning.

How Is Meningococcal Disease Treated?

Meningococcal disease can be managed with antibiotics, but prompt medical attention is critical to lowering the risk of death. Depending on the severity, people with meningococcal disease may require additional treatment, such as:

• Breathing assistance.

• Medication for low blood pressure.

• Septicemia-related surgery to remove dead tissue.

• Wound care for septicemia-related skin damage.

Even after treatment, one out of every ten people infected with meningococcal disease dies. In addition, long-term disabilities, such as limb loss, deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage, may affect up to one in every five survivors.

How Can Meningococcal Disease Be Prevented?

Getting recommended vaccines on time is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease. Maintaining healthy habits, such as having plenty of rest and avoiding close contact with sick people, also helps.

Vaccination

Two meningococcal vaccines protect against the five serogroups that cause most meningococcal diseases in the United States (serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y).

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY).

• Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines.

Meningococcal vaccines, like any other vaccine, are not completely effective. This means that even after vaccination, there is still a chance of developing meningococcal disease. Therefore, people should be aware of the symptoms of the meningococcal disease because early detection and treatment are critical.

Antibiotics

Close or primary contacts of a person with meningococcal disease should be given antibiotics to avoid becoming ill. Close contacts include the following:

• Roommates.

• People who live in the same house.

• Anyone contacting a patient's oral secretions is at risk.

• Doctors or local health departments recommend prophylaxis.

Preventing Re-Infection

Although reinfection is uncommon, people can contract the meningococcal disease more than once. Previous infection does not provide permanent protection against future infections. As a result, the CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) recommends meningococcal vaccinations for all preteens and teens. Children and adults should both receive meningococcal vaccines in certain circumstances.

Conclusion

Meningococcal disease is a potentially deadly bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It is associated with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, etc. It can be managed with antibiotics. Getting recommended vaccines on time, having healthy hygiene habits, getting adequate rest, and avoiding close contact with sick people are some of the best ways to prevent meningococcal disease.