24-01-2023

Meningococcal Infection Is Dangerous but Does Not Spread As Easily As Flu

The National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC) wants to remind everyone that many infectious diseases are characterized by seasonality, i.e., their incidence increases in the cold season. One of them is meningococcal infection, which causes severe symptoms but does not spread as easily as flu. It can be prevented by vaccination. NPHC specialists remind everyone how dangerous this disease is, how to protect against it and what measures should be taken when a child attending school, kindergarten or other educational institution becomes infected.

Spreads through close contact

Meningococcal infection is a rare but very serious bacterial infection, which may cause a severe clinical condition called fulminant sepsis (blood infection) or purulent meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). The first symptoms of the disease are similar to those of a cold such as runny nose, sore throat, and high temperature. Later, other characteristic symptoms appear such as severe headache, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and neck muscle stiffness.

Specialists emphasize that this disease spreads only through a close contact with a sick person (by kissing, eating from the same dishes, when the infection enters the mouth or nose of another person through saliva or nasal secretions). Therefore, in order to prevent the further spread of the infection, it is important to identify people who were in close contact with the infected individual.

People who have been in close contact are at higher risk

Having identified persons who had a close contact during epidemiological investigation, NPHC specialists provide referral to a doctor who will prescribe medication. Family members, classmates, other children from the class or group with whom the sick person had a close contact (ate from the same dishes, shared hygiene products or other objects through which saliva and nasal secretions of the sick person could enter the body) are usually considered to have been in contact.

"Meningococcal infection does not spread as easily and quickly as chicken pox, influenza or other airborne diseases. Therefore, if the persons who have been in contact are identified in time and appropriate measures are assigned to them, the spread of the infection in a group will be prevented", explains Rasa Liausėdienė, advisor at NPHC, Department of Communicable Diseases.

Specific preventive measures are not applied to other members of the educational institution, i.e. students of other classes, and teachers who are not listed as persons who have had contact. However, they are advised to be more attentive and look for characteristic signs. If they develop a fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and stiff neck muscles, they are warned to consult a doctor immediately.

Dangerous for people of all ages

Meningococcal infection affects people of all ages, but more often children under 5 years of age and people over 65 with weakened immune system or people having chronic diseases. Vaccination is the most effective protection against this disease.

Since 1 July 2018, infants have been vaccinated against meningococcal type B infection. According to the Preventive Vaccination Schedule for Children of the Republic of Lithuania, children receive vaccines at 3 months, 5 months and 12-15 months of age. All persons regardless of age (older children and adults) can get vaccinated at their own expense.

Parents or guardians who want to vaccinate their children or get vaccinated themselves should contact their family doctor.

Experts emphasise that meningococcal bacterium is not resistant to environmental factors and dies out quickly, therefore it is recommended to ventilate and wet clean the premises regularly (especially where there are many people). It is also important to wash your hands often and follow cough and sneeze etiquette.