What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a contagious illness. It is caused by a type of bacteria called neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcal bacteria).

Meningococcal infections can cause invasive meningococcal disease, which can include:

• sepsis (a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body damages itself in response to severe infection)
• meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord)

Invasive meningococcal disease can develop quickly and is life threatening.

Less often, meningococcal bacteria can cause smaller, less severe infections, such as:

• septic arthritis (an infected joint)
• myocarditis or pericarditis
• pneumonia
• conjunctivitis

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

Symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease can include:

• fever
• headache
• neck stiffness
• light sensitivity
• nausea and vomiting, or loss of appetite
• drowsiness and confusion
• leg pain or other muscle or joint aches and pains

Meningococcal disease can cause a rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas. The rash does not turn skin-coloured when you press on it with a finger or the side of a clear drinking glass. The rash can be a late sign of meningococcal disease.

In babies and young children, other symptoms of meningococcal disease can include:

• difficulty feeding or reduced feeds
• irritability
• tiredness and floppiness
• seizures
• having a high-pitched moaning cry
• having a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of their head)
• pale or blotchy skin

What causes meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by the meningococcal bacteria (neisseria meningitidis).

The most common types of meningococcal bacteria that cause invasive meningococcal disease are types A, B, C, W and Y. Meningococcal bacteria can live in the nose and throat of healthy people. The bacteria can spread through:

• coughing
• sneezing
• sharing eating and drinking utensils
• kissing

Who is at risk of meningococcal disease?

Anyone can develop meningococcal disease, but some people are at a higher risk than others.

Those at increased risk are people who have conditions or take treatments that affect their immune systems such as:

• low or no spleen function
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• complement deficiencies
• taking immunosuppressant medicines

Others at increased risk include:

• laboratory workers who handle meningococcal bacteria
• university students living in residential colleges (particularly in their first year)
• new military recruits
• people who live in crowded conditions or dormitories
• smokers or those exposed to tobacco smoke
• travellers to areas abroad with meningococcal disease outbreaks or where the disease is more common

Recent or current respiratory infection (such as a cold or flu), or intimately kissing multiple partners, can also increase your risk.

When should I see my doctor?

How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you.

Tests that can diagnose meningococcal disease include:

• a lumbar puncture
• blood tests
• a throat swab

How is meningococcal disease treated?

Meningococcal disease needs treatment in hospital, and often requires intensive care support.

You will need treatment with intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics through a drip).

Other treatments will depend on your symptoms and condition.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a nationally notifiable disease. This means your doctor must report cases of invasive meningococcal disease to the Department of Health. They will try to trace the people you have been in contact with and give them antibiotics to reduce their risk of infection. This helps prevent large outbreaks from occurring.

Can meningococcal disease be prevented?

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against meningococcal disease.

You can lower your risk of catching infections in general if you follow good hygiene practices:

• Wash your hands
• Don't share drink bottles, cups or cutlery.
• Sneeze into your elbow.
• Throw tissues into the bin and wash your hands after use.

Doctors may give you antibiotics if you've been in close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease. This can reduce your risk of infection.

Vaccination

Vaccination is your best protection against meningococcal disease. There are different vaccines for the different types of meningococcal bacteria that cause the disease (A, B, C, W and Y).

Vaccination against meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY disease is from 6 weeks of age.

To protect yourself against meningococcal disease you should talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. Meningococcal immunisation is recommended for:

• babies, children, teenagers and young adults
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• young adults who live in close quarters with or are current smokers
• travellers
• people who have medical conditions that increase their risk of meningococcal disease
• laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease

The table below has more details on the meningococcal ACWY vaccine and who can get it as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Meningococcal vaccines should not be given to people who have had a previous severe allergic reaction to them. They are generally not recommended for anybody who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Meningococcal vaccines are not 100% effective. Even if you (or your child) have had a meningococcal vaccination, go to hospital straight away if you have symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Using paracetamol to reduce fever risk

Children under the age of 2 who get the meningococcal B vaccine should have paracetamol to reduce the risk of high fever.

It is recommended that you give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol as follows:

• Dose 1 (15mg/kg) — 30 minutes before their vaccination or as soon as possible afterwards
• Dose 2 (15mg/kg) — 6 hours after the first paracetamol dose, even if they don't have a fever
• Dose 3 (15mg/kg) — 6 hours after the second paracetamol dose, even if they don't have a fever

Make sure to follow the recommended instructions on the pack, or ask your pharmacist for dose advice.

Ask your doctor or vaccine provider for advice if you are unsure.

What are the complications of meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is serious and can be life threatening.

Long-term effects of the disease can include:

• limb differences or loss of a limb
• skin scarring
• hearing loss
• blindness
• learning difficulties
• brain damage

Resources and support

Meningitis Centre Australia has patient stories and an online support group for people affected by meningitis.

Sepsis Australia provides support and information on sepsis and life after sepsis.

For more information on meningococcal disease and immunisation, visit the Department of Health:

• National Immunisation Program Schedule
• Australian Immunisation Handbook

If you are worried about meningococcal disease, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

NSW Health has information about meningococcal disease in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Department of Health has information on immunisation for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.