Dresdner child with meningitis

In brief: The most important facts about meningococci

What are meningococci and which serogroups are there?
Meningococci are bacteria of the species Neisseria meningitidis. They appear as diplococci and look like paired spheres. There are 12 different known serogroups (A, B, C, X, Y, Z, E, W, H, I, K, L). About five percent of the diseases are caused by the five meningococcal serogroups A, B, C, W and Y.1 In Europe, serogroups B and C are predominant.

How are meningococci transmitted?
Meningococci are transmitted by droplet infection, such as when sneezing, coughing, talking, sharing food, drinking, smoking or kissing. A meningococcal infection occurs when the bacteria enters the body through the mucous membranes and triggers inflammation.

What makes meningococci so dangerous?
Meningococci are primarily two serious clinical manifestations: meningitis and sepsis 2, meningococcal infection usually causing a significant deterioration of the general condition in a few hours. Due to the speed of treatment, a doctor should be consulted immediately to begin treatment.

Can any one get a meningococcal infection?
Everyone can be affected by a meningococcal infection. However, are particularly at risk:
• Infants and young children: infants under five are particularly at risk because their immune system is not fully developed.
• Adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24: this group is particularly vulnerable because it makes their social behavior more vulnerable to infection. So they go to parties together, drink glbades together, put on a cigarette and come in closer physical contact with other teens and young adults. According to the Robert Koch Institute, about ten percent of the population carries meningococci in the nasopharynx without self-sufficiency.

Can I protect myself from infection?
There is no 100% protection against meningococcal infections, but there are precautionary measures that can prevent infection. In addition to medical prevention through vaccination, this also includes regular hand washing and healthy eating. An increased risk of infection also exists in large crowds, for example at parties or festivals, as well as when sharing food, cigarettes or cosmetics.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal infection?
The first symptoms resemble those of an influenza or an influenza infection: the patient suffers from headaches and body aches, fever, chills and nausea. Other possible signs: stiffness of the neck, photophobia, convulsions and vertigo. Patients usually suffer from a serious illness that can develop very quickly. Subsequently, this can also lead to bleeding in the skin.
Often, but not always, meningococcal meningitis, such as sepsis, has small, dark red, blue, or even brownish spots the size of a pin. If you press a clear glbad on one of these points and it remains visible, this could indicate sepsis. If the so-called glbad test is positive, consult a doctor immediately.

What to do if someone has symptoms?
If a meningococcal infection is suspected, intensive treatment should be initiated immediately as it is an absolute emergency. Recognizing early signs and acting quickly can be vital. For the treatment to be effective, it is essential that the doctor is consulted and that the correct diagnosis is made as soon as possible.

How is a meningococcal infection treated?
In case of suspicion of meningococcal infection, the treating physician usually starts antibiotic treatment directly. In addition, depending on the condition of the patient, other therapeutic measures may be necessary, as the course of the disease can vary considerably, ranging from a brief stay in the hospital to intensive medical treatment. Each patient must be treated and treated individually2. Even fast, targeted treatment can not replace the benefits of meningococcal care.

Does the patient have long-term consequences after the illness?
The majority of patients recover completely if timely treatment is provided. However, there is a risk of long-term consequences, such as brain damage, hearing loss, learning difficulties, epilepsy, mood swings, vision problems, limitations of the intellect, ills headache, fatigue, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, internal organ damage or amputation obstruction of the affected body parts.

Is it possible to have a meningococcal infection multiple times?
Meningococcal disease does not automatically confer immunity to all serogroups, as in the case of a measles-related viral disease, for example.