Understanding the Disease

Meningococcus, is a bacterium that can cause a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings), or both. Symptoms may include fever, stiff neck, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pain and swelling, shock, and seizures. Complications—in 11-19% of survivors—may include deafness and other neurologic impairment, and impaired circulation leading to gangrene and amputation of limbs. Death occurs in 10% to 14% of people with meningococcal disease, and is highest in infants and adolescents.

There are approximately 2,600 cases of meningococcal meningitis in the U.S. each year, mostly in children less than five years old. Children younger than two years old have the highest incidence, with a second peak incidence between 15 to 24 years of age. Close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease have a higher rate of infection and are at greatest risk in the first week of contact. Depending on the type of exposure some of these persons may be given antibiotics to prevent infection. Studies report that first-year college students living in dormitories have a somewhat elevated risk for meningococcal disease when compared with other undergraduate students (See Related Issues).

Large outbreaks of the disease are rare in the United States, but not in some countries. It is recommended that travelers to certain areas, particularly sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season (December through June) and travelers to Mecca during Hajj receive the vaccine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Meningococcal (men-in-juh-coc-cal) disease, also called meningitis (men-in-jai-tis), is a serious illness

• It causes the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord to swell and become inflamed

• Meningococcal disease is caused by a certain type of bacteria that can make your adolescent (11-17) very sick

Are there different types of meningococcal disease?

• There are many different types of meningococcal disease

• Your adolescent (11-17) may have already received a vaccine to prevent some types of meningococcal disease.

• There are vaccines for other types of meningococcal disease but there is no vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease type B (MnB)

• MnB causes 1 out of every 3 cases of meningococcal disease in the United States

What can I do today?

Clinical Research Center of Nevada is part of a clinical trial to test an investigational vaccine for MnB

To speak with one of our recruitment specialists about this or any of our studies call
702-893-8968