Meningococcal meningitis

Where it occurs

In recent years meningococcal meningitis has been confined to Africa (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan. Pilgrims intending to attend the Hajj in Mecca are required by the Saudi authorities to have been vaccinated.

Infection

It is caused by a bacterium spread from person to person through infected droplets of saliva released by coughing and sneezing, and also by kissing.

It affects the lining of the brain and the spine and can spread from there into the brain itself and through the bloodstream.

It is highly infectious and the onset can be very rapid, gaining a powerful hold in as little as 24 hours. Because of this, anyone in close contact with a sufferer should have a precautionary test.

Symptoms

There are a number of different versions of the illness which affect sufferers in different ways. The most common symptoms are a stiff neck, high temperature, headache, vomiting and mental disorientation. In the worst cases, there may be nerve damage and hearing loss, or a collapse of the circulatory system. A proportion of sufferers die, often within 24-48 hours of the start of the illness.

Treatment

Meningococcal meningitis should always be viewed as an emergency, with admission to hospital done as quickly as possible. Anti-microbial therapy will have to be commenced immediately the necessary lumber puncture has been done and treatment will also include antibiotics.