Meningococcal Disease

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• What is happening at SDSU?

  Three (3) undergraduate SDSU students have been diagnosed with serogroup B meningococcal disease over the past few months. Because the disease can be so serious and there is a vaccine to prevent it, SDSU and the San Diego County Public Health Officer recommend that all undergraduate SDSU students who are 23 years of age and younger, who have not been vaccinated for serogroup B meningococcal disease, get the vaccine as soon as possible.

• Why are only SDSU undergraduate students 23 years of age and younger being recommended to receive serogroup B meningococcal disease?

  National guidance states that serogroup B vaccine may be given to persons 16 to 23 years of age as part of routine vaccination, in consultation with a healthcare provider.  Additionally, there have been no college campus outbreaks of serogroup B involving students over the age of 23. The three recently diagnosed cases at SDSU were less than 24 years of age. 

• What is meningococcal disease?

  Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that typically causes symptoms of meningitis (brain infection) and/or septicemia (bloodstream infection). 

• What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

  The most common symptoms are high fever, chills, lethargy, and possibly a rash. If meningitis is present, symptoms also include severe headache and neck stiffness; seizures may also occur. Symptoms usually develop 3 to 4 days after exposure, with a range of 2 to 10 days.

• How serious is meningococcal disease?

  Meningococcal disease caused by any serogroup is very serious. About 15% of people with the disease die, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Of those who recover, up to 20% suffer from some serious after-effects, such as permanent hearing loss, limb loss, or brain damage.

• Is there a treatment for meningococcal disease?

  Yes. Doctors treat meningococcal disease with specific types of antibiotics. It is important that treatment start as soon as possible. If a doctor suspects meningococcal disease, they will give the patient antibiotics right away. Antibiotics help reduce the risk of dying.

   

• What should I do if I think I’m having symptoms of meningococcal disease?

  You should seek medical attention right away.  If you are an SDSU student, do not go to Student Health Services, your family doctor, or an urgent care clinic. Instead, it is important to promptly go to the nearest hospital emergency department to be medically evaluated. Early treatment is essential.

   

• What causes meningococcal disease?

  The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis are the cause of meningococcal disease. Four serogroups (C, W, Y and B) cause most cases of meningococcal disease in the United States. Because most current college students have been vaccinated against serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y, the cause of recent meningococcal disease outbreaks on college campuses has been serogroup B.

• How is meningococcal disease spread?

  The bacteria are spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Examples include kissing, coughing, sharing water bottles, drinking cups, cigarettes, lip balm, or eating utensils. The bacteria are more easily spread in crowded settings, such as at parties and bars, and in residential settings such as dormitories and military barracks.

• How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

  The diagnosis is usually made by taking samples of blood and spinal fluid from a person who is sick. Spinal fluid is obtained by performing a lumbar puncture, where a needle is inserted into the lower back. The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease can be found in blood or spinal fluid that is examined at a medical laboratory.