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1. What is meningococcal disease?

A sudden illness caused by a bacteria called meningococcus. This bacteria starts in the nose and throat. The bacteria sometimes gets into the blood or, less often, the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

2. Where does it come from?

From people with this bacteria in their noses and throats. These individuals may not show any symptoms or illness, but they can spread the infection to others. They are called carriers. About one out of every ten people are carriers.

3. How is it spread?

By direct contact with nose or throat discharge of a carrier or ill person. Simply being in the same room with an infected person cannot spread the bacteria. Discharge from the nose or throat (coughing, sneezing, or kissing) must make direct contact with the nose or mouth of another person. Sharing eating utensils, glassware, cigarettes, or toothbrushes rarely spreads the disease. Spread can occur when people sleep near each other, share a household, or play together in child care.

4. What are the symptoms?

Usually sudden and like a cold: running nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, and feeling generally sick. People with this disease are visibly sick and their symptoms may rapidly become more severe. These more severe symptoms include loss of interest, sleepiness, or confusion. There may be a fine spotty pink rash. Sometimes the rash becomes large dark (bruise-like) patches. Some ill people may also have intense headache or stiff neck.

5. How long can a person spread the bacteria?

As long as the bacteria is in their nose and throat. Taking antibiotics can shorten this period.

6. Who is at risk for illness?

Anyone, but it is most common in infants and children. Overcrowded housing; dry, dusty, or smoky air; or the common cold may contribute to the development of this illness.

7. What is the treatment of people with meningococcal disease?

Antibiotics as soon as possible, often IV, and usually in a hospital.

8. What do direct contacts need to do?

People in direct contact with the nose and throat discharge of an infected person should talk to their doctor, clinic, or the Klickitat County Health District, about treatment with antibiotics. Direct contacts can include household members, sexual contacts, health care workers giving unprotected mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and childcare staff and playmates. Casual contacts such as school classmates or co-workers do not require antibiotics. Antibiotics are given to reduce the number of meningococcal bacteria in the nose and throat to prevent illness or spread to others.

9. How can the risk of spreading meningococcal disease be reduced?

Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the waste container. Wash your hands well after this or anytime you touch discharge from the nose and throat. This can help to avoid spread of meningococcus as well as other infections. If you are having nasal discharge, avoid kissing infants or children on the mouth.

10. Is there a vaccine available?

Yes. Vaccine will protect against some, but not all, types of meningococcus. It is only recommended in specific outbreaks, for travel to certain parts of the world, and for people with certain immune weaknesses. The length of vaccine protection is not known, but appears to be about three years in persons 4 years of age or older. It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to begin after vaccination. The vaccine does not affect carriers; they can still spread diseases to others. Direct contacts that receive vaccine must also receive antibiotics to avoid spreading the disease.

11. What should I do if I suspect someone in my family has meningococcal disease?

Contact your family or child's doctor, clinic, or an emergency room, immediately.

12. Where can I get more information?

You can call the Klickitat County Health Department or the Communicable Disease Epidemiology Office at the Washington State Department of Health at 206-361-2914.