Meningococcal Disease Treatments and Vaccines Essay

The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for “College freshman living in dormitories” by the CDC Vaccine Information Statement for meningococcal ACYW vaccines (2016), and also the American College Health Association (Section of Epidemiology, 2015, p. 2). Students living on campus in dorms are sharing the same living space, sleeping space, and all touching the same surfaces, all of which increase the risk for spreading any disease. As the Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet explains that “casual contact, such as being in the same classroom, workplace, or sitting at the same table with an infected person is not usually considered ‘close contact’” (Section of Epidemiology, 2015, p. 2).

The history of meningitis was first heard of in Geneva in 1805.   In Africa the outbreak was in 1840. This outbreak was more common in the 20th century and many people died because of this disease. (Dr. Ananya Mandal, 2017) The cause of meningitis was written by Austrian bacteriology Anton Vaykeselbaum, who linked

While time has pass, many disease have born, some of them had had cures, others have just left lost and dead to the human population. Meningitis is a disease, result of the inflammation of the meninges. Meningitis can affect all of us, children’s, adults, adolescents. Thanks to the advance technology, some types of meningitis can be cured. This paper is going to discus, types, treatments and prevention of meningitis.

Enteroviruses are present in the fetus, mucus, and saliva of infected people (Bennington 3). The viruses or organisms reach the meninges from foci in the body via blood or lymph, through trauma, or from adjacent bony structures such as the sinuses (Thomas 1027). Meningitis has harmful symptoms such as irregular fever, loss appetite, intense headache, constipation, intolerance to light and sound, contacted pupils, delirium, retraction of head, convulsion, and coma (Thomas 1027). Bacterial meningitis requires an individual to be hospitalized. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and even death. Bacterial meningitis is threated with strict antibiotic therapy, such as ampicillin, penicillin G, Chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamicin following strict isolation techniques (Thomas 1027). Those are the drugs of choice if the organisms susceptible. Supportive symptomatic therapy is also indicative (1027). According to the Taber' Cyclopedia Medical Dictionary, there must be a dark, quiet atmosphere, analgesic must be applied, and a cool compression to forehead

Some types of bacterial meningitis can be prevented through immunizations. There are vaccines that protect against pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Hib, all of which cause meningitis. Vaccinations are key to the prevention of meningitis. See your doctor to make sure your vaccinations, and those of your children, are up-to-date.

Comparing to the United States, many other countries in the world are still struggling with meningococcal disease. For instance, WHO reported a meningitis outbreak, which killed 545 people out of 8,234 meningitis patients in Nigeria (Reuters). Meningitis is an infectious disease that can spread through airborne droplets, so an outbreak from meningitis can turn out quickly to be an epidemic if the governments don’t get action. Also, many people have been mistaken the symptoms of meningitis with flu and haven’t got vaccinate for meningitis. Therefore, the most important concern is how to raise awareness among people to get vaccinate because meningococcal disease can easily spread out, especially in young ages from 11 to 24.

Meningococcal disease is a life serious and life-threatening infection that is a problem amongst children and young adults. The infection is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis which is a gram negative β proteobacterium with a distinct diplcoccus morphology. This bacteria is an obligate human bacterial pathogen that normally resides in the human nasopharynx making humans the only natural reservoir. It can also be transmitted from person to person by close contact such as kissing or the simple sharing of a beverage. In most cases the bacteria doesn’t infect the host and will rarely lead to an invasive disease but factors such as the lack of immune defenses can alter this pattern. Neisseria meningitidis is the cause of the majority of cases of meningitis in the United States with children and young adults having the most impact. The United States alone sees 800-1500 cases annually. Worldwide, there are 1.2 million cases of meningococcal infections per year with a death toll of ~135,000. The rates of disease occur most frequently in newborns and children under 1 years of age. The number of incidences will decline and peak again between the ages of 15 and 25. This disease is found worldwide and has the most impact in sub-Saharan Africa where treatment isn’t readily available.

In order to prevent from getting this infection, one must practice hygiene and cleanliness; washing hands often, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, cover mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if feeling sick and suspecting to have this disease, talk to the doctor or nurse about these. This disease also causes bacteremia, meningitis, peritonitis, otitis media, and

This disease happens in little clusters throughout the world. The danger lies in being exposed to the very micro organism that causes it. Adults and kids who have a recent infection in the upper respiratory tract should also take better caution. Health organizations continue to promote various strategies to prepare people, prevent the disease, and treat the illness. Travellers and generally everyone, should be aware of this condition. Be sure not to take any symptoms stated lightly. As much as possible, consult your local physician whenever you feel ill and

Meningitis occurs from microbes binding to nasopharyneal cells in an individual and then cross the mucosal barrier

The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, is commonly referred to as meningococcus. They are among several different types of bacteria, which are typically found in the normal microbiota of the Homo-sapiens specie. Once colonized in the human body, specifically in the nasopharynx (nose and throat) air passageway, they do not pose any kind of threat to a healthy person, however, like any other bacteria found in the human flora, once they exit their regular habit or abnormally multiply they are able to harm and even be fatal. These bacteria can cause Meningococcal Meningitis, with possible complications in the brain, hearing loss and others. For these reasons, the knowledge and awareness of this bacteria’s advantages and disadvantages are important.

According to the Center of Disease Control, meningitis can develop in response to a number various causes especially by both a virus and bacterial infection. Yet, it can also occur from certain drugs, physical injuries and also various forms of cancer. Mayo Clinic Staff states that, “Acute bacterial meningitis usually occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and migrate to the brain and spinal cord. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges, as a result of an ear or sinus infection, or a skull fracture, or rarely, after some surgeries”. There are also various strains of bacterial meningitis, the most common include streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), haemophilus influenzae (haemophilus), and listeria monocytogenes (listeria) (Meningitis Directory).

In order to be infested with Neisseria meningitidis, close prolonged contact from one person to the other must be present from anywhere between a two and ten day incubation period. (World Health Organisation, 2015.) Most of the consistently occurring symptoms of the disease include sensitivity to light, heavy breathing, cold chills and shivers, confusion, blood rashes, headaches, vomiting, high fevers and a stiff neck. (SEE APPENDIX 2.0) Initial diagnosis of Meningococcal meningitis is made by a clinical examination, and can be confirmed by growing the bacteria in specimens of spinal fluid or blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although in most cases the disease is recognised during early stages, adequate treatment leads to the death of 5-10% of patients typically after twenty -four to forty-eight hours of experiencing symptoms. (World Health Organisation, 2015.) In serious cases, this bacterial meningitis can result in learning disabilities, hearing loss or severe damage to the blood stream, brain and spinal cord. Severe brain damage and blood poisoning can lead to a traumatic death, whilst serious spinal cord injuries leave victims paralysed. This affects approximately 10-20% of all survivors. (Disease Control,

Bacterial meningitis can be treated if diagnosed in time. Antibiotics are used in high doses and can effectively eradicate the bacteria from the host. Cephlosporins and sulfa drugs can be used to effectively treat most forms of causal organisms. The key to treatment is the promptness of administration. If treatment is slowed permanent side effects could

Found to be the most prevalent disease of the four, meningococcal disease, also known as bacterial meningitis, was diagnosed in four of the campus’ students. It was first diagnosed by DNA sequencing through