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Meningococcal
Meningitis, Meningococcemia /Neisseria Bacterial Sepsis
by Frankie Milley
All are caused
from the same thing, Neisseria Bacteria. There are 5 main serogroups. A, C,
B, Y, and W135. The vaccine MENOMUNE protects from all but one and that is
B. However the most frequent in recent years are C, Y and A. This year of
2001, the Houston, Texas area, saw some 50 cases. All were reported to be
C and A except for one. No matter which it is it is can be deadly and mutilating.
They are transmitted the same way enter the body through the oral passages
and can be prevented the same way. In this outbreak, New Caney School District
saw, Meningococcemia. With Meningitis, the bacteria goes to the meningies
and spinal fluid, up to as many as 50% of these develop sepsis. Patients with
these complications have a higher risk of complications than without the sepsis.
In 10-15%, however it is believed the rate is climbing, the bacteria goes
directly into the blood stream. This is called Meningococcemia/Nisseria Bacterial
Sepsis. When this happens the patients become ill quickly and die, or they
are often left with amputations of extremities, severe skin and organ damage,
loss of hearing and vision as well as brain damage. Some researchers believe
that with Meningococcemia, it can be as little 24 hours from the first symptom
until death, mutilation or other damage occurs. It is reported that we have
3,000 cases across the US a year. Many, whose families have been affected
and have researched believe the rate is much higher. Cases go unconfirmed
because, hospitals sometimes fail to get the specimens to the proper labs
for testing for various reasons. Because of the aggressiveness of the disease
doctors rush to treat with powerful antibiotics to save life and limb. Once
the antibiotic is in the blood stream the bacteria dies. This makes confirming
the bacteria more difficult, thus unconfirmed cases. We are trying to educate
and remind Emergency room staff and doctors to get the blood specimens before
they start the antibiotics. It is believed by experts that as many as up to
25% of us are carriers. Carriers can also become ill if their immune system
becomes compromised for some reason.
Facts have proven that smokers and second hand smoke contribute to this disease.
Both carriers and victims. Smoking keeps the membranes of the nasal passages
and throat irritated and harbor the bacteria.
Because of this bar patronage can put a young adult at higher risk.
These are some of the reasons why CDC recommends college
kids get the vaccination.
It should be noted that more and more teens are among the victim list
and the number is growing constantly.