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Bacterial Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that college freshmen, especially those who live in dormitories or residence halls, in consultation with their parents, seriously consider getting the vaccine that protects against meningococcal meningitis.

CDC research indicates that compared to other undergraduates overall, college freshmen living in group situations such as residence halls are about 7 times as likely to contract the meningoccocal disease. College freshmen are also at modestly increased risk of the disease than others their age. One possible explanation for this increased susceptibility to infection is that living in close proximity to many other people increases the chance of exposure to meningococcal bacteria spread by respiratory tract secretions.

What is meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a very serious form of bacterial meningitis, an infection involving the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord. Even with the very best of treatment, about 10 percent of patients die—and many of those who recover suffer permanent injury.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include:

• high fever
• headache
• stiff neck
• rash
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• sleepiness

If undiagnosed and untreated, the illness can cause death within 24 to 48 hours.

Students developing such symptoms are encouraged to seek prompt medical evaluation at Hall Health Primary Care Center (or when Hall Health Primary Care Center is closed, at the nearest emergency room which is located at the University of Washington Medical Center on the south end of the UW campus).

How is it spread?

• The bacteria is present in the noses and throats of ill persons and spread to close contacts through saliva or nose and throat secretions when talking, coughing, sneezing, kissing, etc.
• Healthy people who have no symptoms of illness sometimes carry the meningococcus in their noses and throats.
• Meningococcal infection is spread by close contact (for example, among household members) and is not spread simply by being in the same room with an infected person.
• Rarely, transmission occurs by sharing eating utensils, glassware, cigarettes, or toothbrushes.
• It takes 1 to 10 days from the time a person is exposed to the bacteria for symptoms to occur.

Prevention tips

• Vaccination: Beginning in 2005, a vaccine to protect against meningococcal disease is available for persons between 11 and 55 years of age. The vaccine is recommended for young adolescents (age 11-12 years), college freshmen living in dormitory-style housing, and others at increased risk for meningococcal disease
• Avoid close contact with persons with respiratory infections (who are coughing and sneezing)
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, or eating utensils
• Wash hands before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing

A single vaccine is 85-95 percent protective within ten days after it has been administered. The vaccine does not cover serogroup B meningococcal infections, which are responsible for about 33 percent of all cases. Side effects associated with this immunization are usually temporary and mild, and include localized pain and redness at the site of the injection lasting one to two days and, occasionally, unexpected hypersensitivity reactions.

Get vaccinated at Hall Health

Vaccination is available at Hall Health Primary Care Center to current UW students (check in to see a consulting nurse to get a prescription for the vaccine).  All other patients need to schedule an appointment with a Hall Health provider for the prescription. 

Please call Hall Health's Immunization Clinic at (206) 685-1018 for information about the current price of the vaccine and the administrative fee.

For more information

Meningitis (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Meningitis on Campus (American College Health Association)

Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet (Public Health Seattle & King County)

Last updated: 7/15/09