Meningitis - Answers to Your Questions

There have been no cases of meningitis reported at CNU. However, following the recommendation of the American College Health Association and in response to the questions generated by recent television programing focusing on college students, UHWS offers the following information to those who are considering vaccination to enable them to make a more informed decision about vaccination, as well as preventing the erroneous impression that once the vaccine has been received, that individual is 100% risk free of contracting the disease.

The greatest protection against meningitis is in knowing how the disease is spread, as well as living a safe and healthy lifestyle that supports a strong immune system.

1. What is meningitis?
2. Are there different types of meningitis?
3. What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?
4. Is meningitis contagious? How does it spread?
5. Who is at risk for getting it?
6. How is meningitis diagnosed? Can it be treated?
7. Are there vaccines against meningitis?
8. What are the side effects of the vaccine? How safe is it?
9. So where do I get the vaccine?
10. What is meningococcemia?
11. What else can college students do to reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal disease?

What is meningitis?	Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes people refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis (also called meningococcal meningitis) are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis today.
Are there different types of meningitis?	Yes, there are 8 types that cause disease in the world, types A, B, C, X, Y, Z, W-135 and L. Types B and C cause almost all disease in the US (about half and half), with B being the more severe of the two. Disease with C is rarely fatal, as opposed to B which can be quite severe. According to the recent studies by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), types A, B, C, Y and W-135 were determined to be the serogroups found on college campuses. Out of the study, C was responsible for the highest number of cases, as well as type B and Y.
What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?	Symptoms include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and rash. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness.
Is meningitis contagious? How does it spread?	Yes, some forms are contagious. Meningococcal disease is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with an infected person. Direct contact, for these purposes, is defined as oral contact with shared items such as cigarettes or drinking glasses, musical instrument mouth pieces, or through intimate contact such as kissing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The incubation period is generally 3-4 days, to a maximum of 10 days.
Who is at risk for getting it?	Meningococcal disease can affect people at any age. Recent studies found students residing on campus in dormitories have a higher risk for meningococcal disease than college students overall. This is due, in part to the "familiarity" of close living contact, as well as the behaviors of students, particularly freshmen, that compromise their immune system. Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol all contribute to suppressing the immune system.
How is meningitis diagnosed? Can it be treated?	Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of death from meningitis to below 15%, although the risk is higher among the elderly.
Are there vaccines against meningitis?	Yes, there is a vaccine that is 80-100% effective against A and C serogroups, and 65% against Y and W-135 in older children and adults. This percentage drops down after three years to 60-65% for all serogroups. The vaccine is effective for 3-5 years.
What are the side effects of the vaccine? How safe is it?	The vaccine has an excellent safety profile. Side effects are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness and swelling at the site of injection lasting up to two days. It should be deferred during any acute illness. The vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women or individuals sensitive to thimerosol or any other components of the vaccine.
So where do I get the vaccine?	Contact your local health department, or talk to your family physician.
What is meningococcemia?	Sometimes the meningococcal bacteria can infect the bloodstream. This is also referred to as septicemia or blood poisoning. This infection is termed meningooccemia. It can lead to kidney and heart failure, and like meningococcal meningitis, can result in severe disability and death. (It is this severe form that was the focus of recent TV programs).
What else can college students do to reduce the risk of contracting meningococcal disease?	Maximize your body's own immune response. Eat a balanced diet, and get adequate sleep and exercise. Avoid cigarettes and excessive use of alcohol (both compromise your immune system), and do not make a habit of sharing drinks and cigarettes. Use your own mouthpieces for musical instruments. WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

Please visit the Virginia Department of Health's website and the Centers for Disease Control to learn more about the risks of Meningicoccal Disease in the College Population and the vaccine. (links open in new window)

Do you have questions not answered here? For further questions or to receive more information, please contact UHWS at (757) 594-7661 or uhws@cnu.edu.