Meningitis Information for Student & Parents| Health Services

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, or bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common and typically the least severe form. Bacterial meningitis, however, is much more serious and is the type most likely to result in long-term complications. Although meningitis is relatively uncommon, bacterial meningitis requires immediate treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two of the most common are Streptococcus pneumoniae, which has more than 80 serogroups capable of causing illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, which includes five serogroups most frequently associated with meningitis.

What are the symptoms?

Someone with bacterial meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop gradually over one or two days, or it may progress rapidly within just a few hours. Symptoms can vary from person to person.

In children (over 1 year old) and adults, common symptoms include:

Severe headache
High fever
Vomiting
Sensitivity to bright light
Neck stiffness
Drowsiness or confusion

Both children and adults may also develop a rash of tiny red-purple spots, which can appear anywhere on the body.

The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is made using a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory test results.

How serious is Bacterial Meningitis?

If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a full recovery. However, if it is left untreated or if treatment is delayed, the illness can be fatal, or it may result in permanent disability.

How is Bacterial Meningitis Spread?

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as illnesses like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by simply breathing the air where an infected person has been. These germs live naturally in the back of the nose and throat but do not survive long outside the body. Transmission occurs when people exchange saliva—such as through kissing, sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes—or when someone with the bacteria coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth and nose. Most people who come into contact with these bacteria do not develop meningitis. Instead, they become carriers, sometimes for days, weeks, or even months. Only rarely do the bacteria overcome the body’s immune defenses and cause meningitis or other serious illnesses.

How can Bacterial Menigitis be Prevented?

Vaccination

Bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis can be prevented through vaccination.

The vaccine that protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae is called the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends this vaccine for children during their first year of life.

Neisseria meningitidis can be prevented through two types of vaccines:

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), which protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y.
The serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB), which protects against serogroup B.
ACIP recommends MCV4 at 11–12 years of age, with a booster dose at 16–18 years.

In Texas:

One dose of MCV4 given at or after age 11 is required for students in 7th–12th grade.
One dose of MCV4 within the past five years is required for individuals under 22 enrolling in college.
The MenB vaccine is available for teens and young adults 16–23 years old, but it is not required for school or college enrollment in Texas.

Vaccines that protect against bacterial meningitis are safe and effective. Common side effects include redness and soreness at the injection site for up to two days. Immunity typically develops 1–2 weeks after vaccination and can last from five years to a lifetime, depending on the specific vaccine.

Healthy Habits

Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Wash your hands frequently. Limit the number of people you kiss. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Maintaining healthy habits—such as getting plenty of rest and avoiding close contact with people who are sick—also helps reduce the risk of illness.

Who is at risk for bacterial meningitis?

Certain groups are at increased risk for bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. These risk factors include HIV infection, travel to areas where meningococcal disease is common (such as parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia), and college students living in dormitories. Other factors that increase risk include having a recent viral infection, living in a crowded household, or having an underlying chronic illness.

Children ages 11–15 years have the second-highest rate of death from bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. In addition, children and young adults ages 16–23 years have the second-highest rates of disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

What you should do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?

Seek prompt medical attention.

For more information:

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources of information on infectious diseases. You may also contact your family doctor or local health department office to ask about the meningococcal vaccine.

Files

Información sobre Meningitis Bacteriana .pdf

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