Meningococcal disease Te mate meningococcal

The first symptoms of meningococcal disease may seem like the flu or a cold. However, the symptoms will usually get worse quickly with some people suddenly becoming very unwell, sometimes in a few hours. 

Common symptoms in pēpi and tamariki include:

• fever (temperature over 38°C)
• crying, being unsettled, and irritable
• sleepy, floppy, hard to wake
• refusing drinks or feeds
• throwing up (vomiting)
• stiff neck 
• dislike of bright lights
• rash — purple or red spots or bruises. 

Common symptoms in adults include:

• fever (temperature over 38°C)
• headache
• feeling sick (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)
• drowsiness, confusion
• joint pains, aching muscles
• stiff neck
• dislike of bright lights
• rash — purple or red spots or bruises.

Meningococcal bacteria can live in the back of the nose and throat of healthy people. This is quite common — up to 1 in 3 people may carry it without getting sick. 

On rare occassions, the bacteria can enter the body and cause serious illness such as:

• meningitis (an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) 
• septicaemia (blood infection).

These infections are known as meningococcal disease. It is not known why this happens to some people and not others. 

Meningococcal bacteria do not spread as easily from person-to-person as infections like measles or the flu. But being in close contact with someone who carries the bacteria can increase your change of getting sick, for example:

• living with them
• intimate kissing and contact
• being repeatedly sneezed or coughed on. 

That is why people who live with someone who has meningococcal disease are at higher risk. Children and young adults who live closely together (such as in a boarding school or university hall of residence) are also at higher risk. 

There is minimal risk of catching the disease through:

• sharing food, drink bottles, cigarettes or vapes
• brief physical contact, such as a short hug or quick kiss on the lips or cheek.

Meningococcal disease can affect anyone at any age.

Some people are more likely to get very sick from meningococcal disease, including:

• pēpi
• tamariki aged under 5 years
• teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 25 years
• people who have other respiratory infections like the flu
• people exposed to cigarette smoke and vaping
• people with a weak immune system (immunocompromised).

Meningococcal disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other illnesses.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have meningococcal disease, they will check your medical history and symptoms. They may also do tests such as:

• a blood test
• taking a sample of fluid from around your spinal cord (lumbar puncture).

Early treatment is very important because meningococcal disease can get worse very quickly. It is treated with antibiotics, which kill the bacteria and help you recover. 

If your healthcare providers suspects meningococcal disease, they may start antibiotics immediately — before the diagnosis is confirmed — to reduce the risk of serious illness or death.

If you develop meningococcal disease, you are likely to need to be treated in hospital to receive antibiotic treatment and monitoring by health professionals. This will help decrease the risk of permanent damage or death. 

People who survive meningococcal disease can sometimes have long-term health problems, such as:

• loss of one or more limbs
• hearing loss
• brain damage.

Your local public health service team is notified of people with meningococcal disease. They will contact you if you are a 'close' contact to give you all the information you need about what you need to do.

Close contact

You are a close contact if you have prolonged, very close, or intimate contact, for example you are living together. You should:

• take free antibiotics
• get immunised
• watch for symptoms
• continue your usual activities. 

Low-risk contact

You are a low-risk contact if you do not have prolonged, very close, or intimate contact. For example, visiting someone's house, going to the same school or workplace.  You should:

• know and watch for symptoms
• continue your usual activities
• get immunised if recommended for you.

You can reduce your risk of getting and passing on meningococcal disease by doing the following.

• Get immunised — it is free for many people including all children under 5 years, and young people aged 13 to 25 years in their first year of close-living situations (including up to 3 months before). There are different vaccines to protect against different types of meningococcal bacteria. 
  Meningococcal vaccines
• Practice good hygiene — cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash and dry your hands thoroughly, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Keep your home smoke and vape free.