What is meningococcal disease and how can you prevent it?

Our body is home to many tiny or “micro” living organisms. These include bacteria, fungi and viruses. Many of them help keep us healthy. But some can be harmful.

One such bacteria is Neisseria meningitidis. Dr. Anton Weichselbaum first found it in 1887 while working on a liquid found in the brain and spinal cord called cerebrospinal fluid.

This bacterium invades the body and lives at the back of the nose and throat. Ten to twenty percent of the general population carry this bacterium without any adverse effects.

The bacteria can spread directly from person to person through kissing or shared drinks. It can also spread by air droplets produced during coughing or sneezing.

When one’s immune system is weaker, such as from wounds or during infections, these bacteria can enter the bloodstream, this can cause infection of the blood, known as septicemia.

The bacteria can also lead to an infection in the lining of the brain and the spinal cord, causing these areas to swell. This infection is known as meningococcal meningitis.

Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are pneumonia, fever, headache, confusion, stiff neck, nausea, ear pain and joint pain.

Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency and can be fatal even with antibiotic treatment.

Anyone can develop meningitis. However, it is most common in children younger than 12 months and in young adults between 16 and 23 years old.

The risk of infection is also high in people aged 80 and above. The good news is that a vaccine exists! Vaccination is the single best way to prevent this disease.

The Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine can help protect against the meningococcal disease caused by 4 different groups (A, C, W and Y) of Neisseria meningitidis.

The MenACWY vaccine is given as 2 doses. The first dose is given to children around the age of 12 years. The second dose, known as a booster, is given at the age of 16 years.

The vaccine contains pieces of the bacteria linked to a carrier protein. This “conjugate vaccine” generates immunity against future infections. It can be given to people aged 2 to 55 years.

The MenACWY vaccine has been in use since 2005. Since then, the number of meningococcal disease cases has decreased by 90%.

Common side effects of the vaccine include pain around the site of injection, muscle pain, headache, tiredness or minor fever. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about meningococcal vaccines.