Bacterial meningitis is justifiably terrifying doctors as well as parents. What are the facts?

MENINGITIS

Meningitis is an infection involving the membranes which cover the brain. This is usually a very serious illness which can affect children as well as adults. Several different organisms can cause meningitis including many different strains of bacteria and viruses.

VACCINATION

Vaccines are available to give protection from some of these organisms, but by no means all of them. One of the most recent additions to mass immunisation of children in Australia was to prevent infection by “haemophilus influenza B” (HIB). Despite its name, this is a bacterial infection which has nothing to do with the influenza virus. HIB caused 20 deaths per annum of Australian children. It also caused brain damage and deafness in many other victims. There have been no deaths in vaccinated children since HIB immunization was introduced.

MENINGOCOCCUS

A new vaccine for Type C Meningococcal disease is now available from our practice. ("Meningitec") Type C represents 10 - 20% of cases in Australia ...but it has a very high mortality rate of about 50%.

The rationale for having this vaccine is the same as for any other - It can prevent a rare but dangerous illness and is relatively safe (No vaccine is 100% effective or safe).

Meningococcal disease is most common under the age of 4 and between ages 15 and 19 years.

The vaccine can be given from the age of 6 weeks. Under 12 months 3 doses are required (2 - 4 and 6 months is suggested). Over 12 months only one dose is required. The duration of protection is uncertain ... hopefully life-long.

Meninitec is not part of the free vaccine schedule sponsored by the health department. The cost of the vaccine is $70 per dose. We are offering this to patients at the Avenue Road Medical Practice from March 2002. We feel it is a decision for parents who may elect to add another injection for their children.

There is no vaccine available for the particular strain of Meningococcus which is responsible for most Meningococcal disease (sub-type B) currently being reported in Australia. Meningitis vaccine is given to travelers to some destinations such as Nepal. Unfortunately that vaccine is for a different organism sub-type and is not effective against most Meningococcal disease in Australia. This also applies to the Meningitis vaccines available overseas.

Meningococcal septicemia (generalized infection) is usually a rapidly progressive, devastating illness. We receive many calls from parents concerned because a child has a rash, and they are aware that this is a sign of Meningococcal disease. The Meningococcal rash looks distinctive. It is “haemorrhagic” which means there appears to be bleeding and bruising into the skin. By the time such a rash develops, the patient is usually very ill. A child who is alert and active with a faint rash is most unlikely to have a sinister cause. Many mild virus infections cause rashes. Other symptoms of meningitis may be present including fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, photophobia and severe headache.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Urgent medical advice must be sought if the symptoms described above are present.

Meningococcal disease is not common, despite the fact that the organism is often present in healthy people. Risk of the disease is greatest among CLOSE CONTACTS of a proven case. Close contacts, such as family members, are treated with particular antibiotics to obliterate the organism.

While media reports of this terrible illness cause alarm, there is no need to change our normal habits and activities. Short of living in an isolated glass cage, there is no way we can avoid the small risk of meeting this nasty bug.

.....Please click on the NSW health Dept address below for public health advice on Meningocuccus.