DEADLY AND FAST. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND HOW TO GET PROTECTED
BY EARLY this month every 17and 18-year-old should be invited to have the meningitis W vaccination at a GP surgery. Here, Dr Nelly Ninis, medical adviser to the Meningitis Research Foundation, explains what the disease is and why teenagers must have the jab.
Q SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS MENINGITIS W? A Meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain, is caused by either viruses or bacteria. The latter is particularly dangerous. A bacteria called meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in young people and can also cause septicaemia or blood poisoning. A person can develop either disease, or both. Since 2009 a highly virulent ST-11 strain, belonging to the W group of meningococcal bacteria, has emerged in the UK.
Q HOW CAN THERE BE A NEW TYPE ALL OF A SUDDEN? A Diseases mutate. Cases in England have risen five-fold since 2009 (ten-fold in teenagers and young adults) from 16 in 2008 to 117 in 2014.
Q WHY ARE TEENS SO SUSCEPTIBLE? A Doctors believe it is associated with new patterns of behaviour, socialising in crowds and coming into contact with more people carrying the bacteria. Cases in 15- to 24-year-olds account for 20 per cent of the total in England. The biggest percentage of cases of all types of meningitis is in babies, due to their weak immune systems. Cases spike in teenage years before falling off.
Q IS IT MORE DANGEROUS THAN OTHER STRAINS? A Yes, there is a greater chance of dying from this or suffering longterm damage than from other forms.
Q HOW DOES THE DISEASE SPREAD TO OTHERS?
A Up to a quarter of young people have the bacteria in their nose or throat. It spreads through close contact. Q WHAT IS THE VACCINE AND HOW DOES IT WORK? A The vaccination programme was launched in August. It’s a singleshot jab known as ACWY, which protects against Meningitis W and also against groups A, C and Y. It is being offered free to all 17- and 18-year-olds in the UK via GPs. It’s estimated to be more than 90 per cent effective. It protects against the disease and prevents bacteria living in the throat, so vaccinated teenagers indirectly help protect the population at large. Q HOW CAN WE ENSURE OUR CHILD GETS THE JAB? A Every family with a child aged 17 or 18 should get a letter inviting them to have the jab by early this month. If you don’t, call your GP and if necessary, ensure your child registers with a GP as soon as they get to university. Over the next two years it will be offered from age 14.
Q IT’S NOT 100% EFFECTIVE. SO IS THERE IS STILL A RISK? A Yes, but vastly reduced. Also be aware the vaccination doesn’t protect against all meningitis strains. Symptoms of meningitis to watch out for include fever, headache, aversion to bright light, stiff neck, vomiting, sleepiness and seizures. Septicaemia symptoms include cold hands and feet, shivering, rapid breathing, paleness and, in the advanced state, a purple rash. Q CAN THE DISEASE BE TREATED? A Yes, with antibiotics, but they need to be given early. It can cause death or lead to severe disabilities such as brain damage, epilepsy, amputations and blindness if it’s not treated soon enough.