Meningitis Trust

What are meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia? Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the linings surrounding the brain. It can be caused by bacteria and viruses.
Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and multiplying uncontrollably.

Bacterial meningitis is very serious and needs urgent medical attention. Any bacteria has the potential to cause meningitis. It is mainly caused by meningococcal and pneumococcal bacteria. Among others are Hib, TB, E.coli, and group B streptococcal can also cause meningitis in new born babies.

Meningococcal bacteria can cause two major illnesses, meningitis and septicaemia (see above) There are different groups of these bacteria. The main one in NZ is Group B meningococcal disease accounting for up to 90% Group C meningococcal disease accounts for the majority of the remaining number and is the main cause of cluster or outbreaks of the disease. Other groups of meningococcal bacteria found are A, W135 and Y and rarely cause disease in New Zealand.

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause meningitis but also other illnesses such as ear infections and pneumonia. Pneumococcal meningitis is very serious/ it has a high fatality rate and is associated with a increased risk of brain damage.

Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis. It is rarely life threatening, but it can make people very weak. Viral meningitis can be caused by many different viruses. Some are spread by coughing, sneezing or through poor hygiene (e.g. not washing hands after going to the toilet). Others are found in sewage-polluted water. Contact with a person who is suffering from viral meningitis does not increase an individual’s chance of developing the disease.

Amoebic meningitis is extremely rare but a very serious illness that invariably ends in death. It is caused by an amoeba that can live in geothermal pools and can be picked up through the nose when a person puts their head under water. The incubation period is usually 3-7 days and the signs and symptoms are similar to those shown in this leaflet.

How do you get bacterial meningitis/meningococcal septicaemia? The bacteria are very common and live naturally in the back of the nose and throat. They normally spread between people in close and prolonged contact by coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing. They do not live for very long outside the body, so can’t be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools or buildings.

People of any age can carry the bacteria for days, weeks or months without becoming ill and carrying the bacteria can help to make you more immune to meningitis. Occasionally they overcome the body’s defences and cause meningitis and septicaemia. The bacteria which can cause meningitis in new-born babies are commonly found in the intestine and vagina.

Signs and Symptoms Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia may not always be easy to spot at first, because the symptoms can be similar to those of flu. They may develop over one or two days, but sometimes develop in a matter of hours. The incubation period is between 2 and 10 days. Symptoms do not appear in any particular order and some may not appear at all. It is important to remember that other symptoms may occur.

Adults/Children symptoms;
Vomiting, Fever, Headache, Stiff neck, Light aversion, Drowsiness, Joint pain, Fitting.

Babies symptoms; Fever-hands and feet may also feel cold, Refusing feeds or vomiting, Diarrhoea, High pitched moaning cry or whimpering, Dislike of being handled, fretful, Neck retraction with arching of back, Blank and staring expression, Bulging fontanelle, Difficult to wake, lethargic, Pale blotchy complexion.

What should you do? If someone you know is ill and you suspect meningitis/meningococcal septicaemia contact a doctor immediately.

Describe the symptoms carefully, mention that you think it might be meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia.

If a doctor is not available go straight to the nearest hospital or clinic.

If it is meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia, early treatment is vital.

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia need URGENT medical attention.

Septicaemic rash Patients with meningococcal septicaemia often develop a rash which does not fade under pressure. The rash may start anywhere on the body as a cluster of tiny blood spots, which look like pin-pricks in the skin. If untreated, these blood spots will join to give the appearance of fresh bruises.

The “glass test” can be used to see if a rash might be septicaemia. If you press the side of a clear drinking glass firmly onto the spots or bruises, they will not fade. NB. In a small number of cases, the rash may fade at first, but may later change into one that does not.

Even though the rash may be harder to see on dark skin, the glass test can still be done. Look for the spots or bruises on paler parts of the skin, e.g. palms of the hand or soles of the feet. There is sometimes a rash on the surface of the eye-the part mainly covered by the eyelid.\

Do not wait for a rash. It may be the last symptom to appear, and in some cases may not appear at all.

Treatment and prevention Viral meningitis does not respond to antibiotics, treatment is based on rest and good nursing care.
Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia need immediate treatment with antibiotics.

Only people who have come into close contact with meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia require antibiotics (close contacts are people living or sleeping in the same household or who have intimately kissed the patient). School friends and work mates of the patient with meningococcal disease are rarely at higher risk.

Antibiotics are given to kill off any meningococcal bacteria which may be carried in the back of the nose and throat. This reduces the risk of passing the bacteria on to others.

Research suggests that not smoking may reduce the chances of contracting meningitis in your family.

Apart from vaccines, there is no known way to protect against meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

Vaccines Some forms of meningococcal disease can be prevented by vaccine. Vaccines effective against groups A,C, W135 and Y are available in New Zealand. A vaccine against A and C can be given to people travelling to areas of the world where these groups commonly occur.

It is effective in about 80% of those who receive it, but it is not effective in children under the age of 18 months and only offers protection for about three years.

Since these leaflets were printed, the Ministry of Health has launched the Meningococcal B Immunisation programme. For more information, call the vaccination helpline on 0800 20 30 90 or visit www.immunise.moh.govt.nz

Would you like to make a difference and help save lives? The Meningitis Trust needs your support to continue its work. To make a donation you can obtain a donation form from our website www. Meningitis-trust.org and send your donation to the address below. Or call 09 428 2056 for further information on how you can make a gift to the Trust. All donations over $5 are tax deductible.

The Meningitis Trust The Trust is a registered charity in New Zealand founded and staffed by people who have had a direct experience of meningitis.

The Trust leads the fight against meningitis by:

24 hour Helpline 0800 446 087 – free call support line for anyone distressed or anxious about meningitis/meningococcal disease and needing someone to talk to. The Helpline is staffed by trained nurses who are telephone counsellors.
Offering a range of emotional and practical support for people affected by meningitis/meningococcal septicaemia.
One-to-One Contact – an opportunity to share your experience with someone who has had a similar experience.
Community Groups – formed by people who have had an experience of meningitis/meningococcal septicaemia. We also welcome people how have not had an experience of meningitis, but do have a genuine interest in our work.
Producing a wide range of information to raise awareness of the disease.
Producing tailored education packages for child-carer’s and health professionals.
To volunteer your time or experience please contact Community Services on 09 428 0828.

Contact Details: Level One, Manly Palms, 49Rawhiti Road, Manly.

PO Box 755, Whangaparaoa, HBC 1463

Phone: 09 428 0828 Fax: 09428 0128

Email: info@meningitis-trust.org.nz

24 Hour Helpline0800 446 087

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