Doctor, what do I need to know about meningitis in children and adolescents?
Meningococcus is a bacteria that lives in the linings of your nose and throat. The bacteria can spread from one person to another by close contact. There are five different types of meningococcal bacteria that are responsible for the disease: Types A, B, C, Y and W-135.
Meningococcal bacteria can infect the blood and lungs and the spinal fluid. Symptoms of a blood-stream infection can include fever, chills and dark purple spots on arms and legs. Symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache and a stiff neck.
Meningococcal infections can be deadly. Every year in the United States approximately 3,000 people are infected with the bacteria and 300 die. Also, about 400 people who survive have permanent disabilities such as loss of limbs, kidney disease, hearing loss and mental retardation. Meningococcal infections can occur in infants less than 1 year of age and in adolescents. Although adolescents are less likely to be infected than infants, they have a higher risk of dying when infected.
Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all adolescents entering middle school (11-12 years of age) and high school (15 years of age). College freshmen should receive the vaccine, especially if they will be living in dormitories.
Children in close contact with anyone infected with a meningococcal infection should receive prophylactic antibiotics to prevent the disease.