BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 

  HOT TOPICS

 

 

The Facts on Meningitis

 

What is meningitis?  Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.  It is often referred to as spinal meningitis.

 

Meningitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.  Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment.  Bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in hearing loss, learning disabilities, brain damage, or death.  One of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis is an organism called Neisseria meningitidis or the meningococcus.

Text Box: Meningococcal disease is fatal in 5% to 15% of the people who develop the disease.

How many cases of meningococcal disease are reported annually in Florida?  There are usually 90 - 190 cases of meningococcal disease in Florida each year.

 

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?  Symptoms include fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and frequently a rash.  The symptoms usually develop rapidly and can progress to delirium and coma, and sometimes death.

 

How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?  Doctors usually diagnose meningococcal disease by culturing bacteria from a sample of the patient’s blood or spinal fluid.  Spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, which involves inserting a needle into the lower back and drawing out fluid.  It is important to identify the bacteria in order to select the correct antibiotic for treatment.

 

Can meningococcal disease be treated?  With early detection, meningococcal infection is treatable with antibiotics.  However, meningococcal disease is fatal in 5-15 percent of the people who develop the disease.

 

Who is most at risk for contracting meningococcal disease?  Children and young adults appear to be the most susceptible for developing this disease, although all age groups can be affected.  The risk may be decreased by persons not sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes and cigarettes, by not drinking from the same containers, and by not eating other people’s food such as sharing a sandwich.

 

Is meningococcal disease contagious?  Meningococcal disease can be contagious with prolonged direct contact to a sick individual.  The germ is spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat by kissing, coughing, sneezing and sharing of cigarettes, drinks and food.  However, many healthy people carry the bacteria that cause this disease and exhibit no adverse symptoms.  These healthy people may also be the source of infection for others.

 

Is there a concern about the health risk to the public of contracting meningococcal disease?  The general public is not at an increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease.  Those at greatest risk are people who have prolonged, direct exposure to someone with this disease.  Family members and co-workers in this risk group are notified and offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

 

For further information, contact the Broward County Health Department at 954/467-4865.

 

          2421A SW 6th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33315                November 1999