University of Michigan - Flint

Please be aware that winter and spring are peak meningitis seasons. Listed below is information on viral and bacterial meningitis, along with recommendations for vaccination.

Meningitis Frequently Asked Questions
ReeAnn Slagor, RN, MSN, APRN, BC, University of Michigan-Flint, rslagor@umflint.edu

What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. The disease is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord or meningococcemia, or the presence of bacteria in the blood.

What causes meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitis, a leading cause of meningitis and septicemia (or blood poisoning) in the United States. Meningitis is one of the most common manifestations of the disease, although it has been known to cause septic arthritis, pneumonia, brain inflammation and other symptoms.

How many people die from meningococcal disease each year?
Meningococcal disease strikes about 2,200 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 300 deaths annually.  It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and five to 15 students die as a result.

How is meningococcal disease spread?
Meningococcal disease is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with an infected person.  Direct contact, for these purposes, is defined as oral contact with shared items such a cigarettes or drinking glasses, or through intimate contact such as kissing.

What are the symptoms?
The early symptoms usually associated with meningococcal disease include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy, and may resemble the flu.  Because the disease progresses rapidly, often in as little as 12 hours, students are urged to seek medical care immediately if they experience two or more of these symptoms concurrently.

Who is at risk?
Evidence found students residing on campus in dormitories appear to be at higher risk for meningococcal disease than college students overall. Further research released by the CDC shows freshmen living in dormitories have a six times higher risk of meningococcal disease than college students overall. 

Close contact of cases of meningococcal disease should receive appropriate antibiotic chemoprophylaxis, whether or not they have been vaccinated. CDC provides guidelines on defining close contacts and appropriate antibiotics and dosing schedules.

Although anyone can come in contact with the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease, data also indicates certain social behaviors, such as exposure to passive and active smoking, bar patronage, and excessive alcohol consumption, may put students at increased risk for the disease.  Patients with respiratory infections, compromised immunity, and travelers to endemic areas of the world are also at increased risk.  Cases and outbreaks usually occur in the later winter or early spring when school is in session.

How often do outbreaks occur on college campuses?
From 1980 to 1993, there were 21 outbreaks, three of which occurred in colleges. From 1994 to 1996, there were 26 outbreaks, four of which occurred in colleges.  Between 1986 and 1993, an outbreak was defined as five cases of the same serotype in 100,000 people with at least three occurring within three months.  From 1994 to present, 10 cases of the same seroty0e in 100,000 people with at least three occurring within three months constitute an outbreak.

Is one type of serogroup of meningococcal disease more common in college students?
Evident shows the epidemiology of meningococcal disease is changing, with a majority of cases (65 percent) in the college age group caused by either serotype C, Y, or W-135, which are all vaccine-preventable.

What is American College Health Association’s (ACHA) recommendation on meningococcal disease?
ACHE recommendations are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations and include as a major indication: Population at increased risk including freshmen who live, or plan to live, in dormitories or residence halls.  Non college freshmen under the age 25 may choose to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease.

Does the Center for Disease Control recommend vaccination for college students?
The Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the vaccine for college who live in dormitories as they are at higher risk for meningococcal disease than other people of the same age.   Also, non-freshmen college students who want to reduce their risk for the disease may also be vaccinated.

Who should be vaccinated pre-exposure?

• Entering freshmen college students who live in dormitories or residence hall
• Undergraduate students 25 years of age or under who request vaccination in order to decrease their risk for disease and are not pregnan
• Students with medical conditions that compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen, antibody deficiency
• Students traveling to areas of the world with endemic meningococcal disease.
  

How effective is the vaccine?
The meningococcal vaccine has been shown to provide protection against the most common strains of the disease, including serogroups A, C, Y and W-135.
Is the vaccine safe? Are there adverse side effects to the vaccine?
The vaccine is very safe and adverse reactions are mild and infrequent, consisting primarily of redness and pain at the site of injection lasting up to two days.

What is the duration of protection?
The duration of the meningococcal vaccine’s efficacy is yet to be determined.

Where can I get the vaccine?
The University Health Services in Ann Arbor offers the vaccine to UM-Flint students for a fee.  Their telephone number is (734) 762-8304.
Visiting Nurse Association in Flint offers the vaccination for a fee.  Their telephone number is 1-810-496-8759 or toll free 1-800-343-6400.

For those persons needing assistance in locating a provider for the vaccine, please consult with your medical practitioner, local or state health department, or contact two additional resources: 1-800 VACCINE and www.meningitisvaccine.com