How To Talk About Meningitis B

About Meningococcal Meningitis and Meningitis B

What is meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is the most common form of bacterial meningitis in adolescents and young adults.
It is a serious bacterial infection mainly caused by 5 types of meningococcal bacteria: ABCWY.
When the bacteria enter your body, it can cause a bloodstream infection resulting in sepsis, or it can also infect the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

How can you get it?

It can easily spread from person to person.
You may be infected and not know it, but still pass it along to others.
For example, it can be spread by sharing anything that comes in contact with saliva, being in close quarters, being sneezed or coughed upon, and even kissing.

What are the symptoms?

It can attack without warning, and early symptoms can often be mistaken for the flu or a bad hangover.
Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, stiff neck, vomiting, headache, exhaustion, Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light), and a purplish rash.
In some cases, you may be infected with Meningitis B, but asymptomatic (not presenting any symptoms).

Who is at risk?

It is more common than you think. Meningococcal meningitis affects all ages, and it can occur anywhere, but it is more commonly diagnosed among those 16-23 (teens and young adults).
A recent study found that MenB is 5+ times more common in college students versus non-college students, and more than 30 college campuses have had cases of Meningitis B since 2008.

What happens if you get it?

One of the scariest things about Meningitis is that it can kill quickly. You can go from studying in your room one night to being in a coma less than 48 hours later.
Around 1 in 10 individuals who get bacterial meningitis die and 1 in 5 have severe complications.
It can also cause severe permanent complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities, or even limb amputations.

How can you help prevent meningococcal meningitis?

While it’s a devastating disease, the good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself against the devastating effects of meningococcal meningitis.
Because meningococcal meningitis is mainly caused by 5 types of meningococcal bacteria - ABCWY - two separate meningitis vaccines are necessary to be fully immunized against the disease: MenACWY and MenB.
At this time, there is no combined MenACWY and MenB vaccine available. That is why you need two different types of meningitis vaccines to help protect yourself.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that all 11- to 12-year-olds should get a single dose of a MenACWY vaccine, and a booster dose at age 16.
The CDC also recommends that teens and young adults (16 through 23) get the MenB vaccine (2 doses), preferably at 16 through 18 years old.
At this time, there is no combined MenACWY and MenB vaccine available. That is why you need two different types of meningitis vaccines to help protect yourself.
Also, avoid sharing items with friends when possible.

Why is getting both types of meningitis vaccines important?

While most have received the MenACWY vaccine, few students have received the MenB vaccine. That's because the MenB vaccine is newer with not many colleges requiring it just yet.
Many colleges require the MenACWY vaccine for enrollment but few require the MenB vaccine.
If you haven’t received both vaccines, you are not fully immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

Where can I get the MenB vaccine?

First, check your school’s health center to see if they offer the MenB vaccine.
If not, talk to your parents about making an appointment to get vaccinated by your family doctor or at a local pharmacy next time you go home.
Remember, you need to ask your healthcare provider if you’ve had both the MenACWY and MenB vaccine.

Where can I get more information?