INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE: THE SERIOUS THREAT BEHIND A SUDDEN ILLNESS [1]

INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE
THE SERIOUS THREAT BEHIND A SUDDEN ILLNESS [1]

What is Invasive Meningococcal Disease?

Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is a serious, unpredictable disease that parents should be aware of. It can have a sudden onset and progress rapidly, requiring urgent medical attention.^1,2

Meningococcal meningitis is one of the main forms of IMD. It occurs when meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis), which can be found in the nose and throat of some people, infect the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Another form of IMD is meningococcal septicaemia, which occurs when the bacteria infects the bloodstream.²

Risk groups, transmission and symptoms

All age groups are at risk – however, babies, teenagers and young adults are amongst those most vulnerable.² The bacteria spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like saliva – for example, by living in close quarters or through kissing.³

One of the main concerns is that early symptoms are non-specific, making the disease difficult to initially recognise.⁴

Meningococcal meningitis or septicaemia may start out with flu-like symptoms which rapidly progress (sometimes within hours), causing severe illness or even death within 24 – 48 hours.^1,2

Symptoms may include fever, headache, neck stiffness, vomiting and sensitivity to light. In babies and young children, symptoms can be less obvious and may include a fever with cold peripheries, high pitched moaning or whimpering, blank staring, inactivity, drowsiness, poor feeding, neck retraction with arching of the back and/or a pale and blotchy complexion.²

Treatment and complications

Even with access to the best medical care, IMD can be fatal in some cases.² Approximately 1 in 5 survivors are left suffering lifelong complications, such as loss of limb(s), deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.^1,2

Protection through vaccination

Certain strains of IMD can be prevented through vaccination, which is considered the best way to preventing IMD due to the rapid nature of disease progression.^1,2 Preventing IMD can be the difference between life and death, or life-long disability.¹

INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE THE SERIOUS THREAT BEHIND A SUDDEN ILLNESS¹

REFERENCES: 1. Taha MK, Bekkat-Berkani R, Abitbol V. Changing patterns of Invasive Meningococcal Disease and future immunization strategies. Hum Vaccin Immunother.

2023 Dec 31;19(1):218611. 2. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Meningococcal Disease. An update for Health Care Workers. 26 January 2024. 3. National Institute for

Communicable Diseases. Meningococcal Disease. Available from: https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/meningoccocal-disease/. 4. Nadel S, Ninis N. Invasive Meningococcal

Disease in the Vaccine Era. Front Pediatr. 2018 Nov 9;6:321.

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