Meningococcal is a serious infection that can cause severe scarring, loss of limbs, brain damage and death. With cases of meningococcal B on the rise in Australia this year, it’s an important reminder for us all to keep up-to-date with our vaccinations, particularly those who are at most risk. In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the disease.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is the result of a bacterial infection of the blood and/or membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.
The most common strains that are responsible for cases of infection are A, B, C, W, and Y and vaccinations for all these strains of the disease are available in Australia.
While the disease is relatively uncommon, and most people will recover completely with early antibiotic treatment, it can spread rapidly and become life-threatening for those infected.
Up to 10 per cent of cases result in a long-term disability, such as a loss of a limb or neurological damage and, in very rare cases, if left untreated, can result in death.
Meningococcal in Western Australia
There have been an increasing number of cases of meningococcal disease reported in Western Australia this year, particularly for the B strain of the disease.
What are the symptoms?
One of the tricky things about meningococcal is that it can appear in different forms, depending on which part of the body the bacteria invade (meningitis– affecting the brain and spinal cord; and septicaemia– affecting the blood; or a combination of both).
People can also experience different symptoms.
In general, some of the most common symptoms experienced include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Neck stiffness
- Muscle or joint pains
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Convulsions
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Cold hands and feet
In the later stages of the disease, a pinprick or purple bruise-like rash can develop. It is important to get this type of rash checked immediately by your doctor or emergency department.
Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics and the earlier the treatment commences, the better the chance of making a full recovery.
Who is at risk?
While up to one-fifth of people carry meningococcal bacteria in the back of their nose and throat, only a small number of people will develop an infection from the meningococcal bacteria.
Those at greatest risk of contracting the disease include babies and children up to the age of 5 (due to their developing immune systems and tendency to put things in their mouths and share toys, food and drinks) and those in the 15-24 year age bracket (due to their social lifestyle, which generally includes more intimate activities toto jitu such as kissing and sharing drinks).
Others at risk include those with a recent or current viral respiratory infection, smokers, those living in crowded living conditions and those with a weakened immune system.
Preventing meningococcal
While practising good hygiene can help prevent against the disease, vaccination remains the best way to protect against meningococcal. Unfortunately, there is no single vaccine available to protect against all strains of the disease; however, there are different vaccines available to help protect against the most common strains – A, B, C, W and Y.
Vaccination against meningococcal B is strongly recommended for:
- Infants and young children aged 2 or under
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 2-19 years old
- Healthy adolescents aged 15-19 years old
- Adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years old, living in close quarters or who are current smokers
- People with certain medical conditions
- Travellers
- Laboratory workers who frequently handle Neisseria meningitides
Meningococcal B vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months (certain medical conditions) and 12 months.
- People of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those receiving treatment with eculizumab.
Others can get the vaccine through private prescription from their GP.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- children aged 12 months
- adolescents aged 14-16 years through school-based vaccination programs.
- People of all ages with asplenia and hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those receiving treatment with eculizumab.
Book in for your vaccine at IMC
We regularly stock vaccines for all meningococcal strains at Illawarra Medical Centre. To book in for your vaccination, make an appointment online or phone us on (08) 9208 6400.
If you have any concerns or questions, book in with your GP to discuss.
For more information on this topic, visit:
- Australian Government Department of Health – https://campaigns.health.gov.au/immunisationfacts/meningococcal
- GSK – https://au.gsk.com/en-au/products/vaccines/bexsero/
- Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Meningococcal-disease
- Meningococcal Australia – http://www.meningococcal.org.au
- Meningitis Centre Australia – https://www.meningitis.com.au
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance – https://ncirs.org.au/updated-fact-sheets-meningococcal-vaccines-australians-and-meningococcal-vaccines-faqs