Meningococcal disease

Question 1

Infectious causes of meningitis

Answer 1

Bacteria (meningococcus, pneumococcus)
Virus (coxsackie, echo, herpes, mumps)
fungi, protozoa & other parasites

Question 2

what is meningococcal disease

Answer 2

infection with neisseria meningitidis
2 main manifestations: meningitis or septicaemia

Question 3

Neisseria meningitidis epidemiology

Answer 3

carried by 10-24% population
humans = only reservoir
transmission: respiratory droplets/naso-pharyngeal secretions
Incubation: 2-10 days (usually 3-4)
most common october - may

Question 4

Meningococcal septicaemia presentation

Answer 4

fever & chills
fatigue
vomiting
cold hands & feet
severe aches & pains
rapid breathing
diarrhoea
dark purple rash (later)

Question 5

complications

Answer 5

death
blindness
deafness
brain damage
amputation
gangrene/arterial occlusions

Question 6

is it notifiable

Answer 6

yes on suspicion

Question 7

public health approach

Answer 7

notification
contact tracing
prophylaxis

• contact school etc - standard warn & inform letter

Question 8

Epidemic?

Answer 8

huge epidemics in meningitis belt of SSA