The CDC has released a health alert to alert medical professionals to the growing number of bacterial infections resulting from a strain of meningococcal disease that is circulating in the country. Neisseria meningitidis is the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease. According to the CDC, this condition can have fatal symptoms and develop a dangerous infection known as meningitis that will affect the bloodstream, spinal cord, and brain lining.
How Is Meningococcal Disease Caused?
The CDC alert reports state that a variant of the Neisseria meningitides serogroup Y that causes meningococcal disease has resulted in 140 cases in the United States this year. In contrast to conventional meningitis, which mainly affects infants and young adults, this strain affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 60. HIV-positive people and black and African American people are more vulnerable to this kind of meningitis.
According to the CDC, there are six recognized meningitis serogroups: A, B, C, W, X, and Y. The most common groups in the US are B, C, W, and Y. With 422 cases, 2023 had the highest reported number of type Y infections since 2014. In addition, there is a meningococcal disease type Y outbreak throughout the state of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health has identified 35 cases—including six fatalities—related to this outbreak since June 2022.
Prevention And Types Of Meningococcal Disease
According to the CDC, meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicemia, or meningococcemia, a bloodstream infection, are the two forms of illnesses that can arise from meningococcal disease.
The best protection against meningococcal disease, as prescribed by the CDC, is to stay up-to-date with the recommended vaccines. According to the CDC all teenagers and preteens, as well as children and adults who are at higher risk of contracting meningococcal infection, should get the meningococcal vaccine. To an extent, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing close contact with infected people will help prevent the disease.
People who have close contact with infected people should receive antibiotics to prevent themselves from getting sick. There are rare chances of re-infection, as meningococcal disease will not offer lifelong protection from re-infection.
Symptoms Of The Disease
The major symptoms of meningococcal infection include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status. Meningococcal bloodstream infection symptoms include cold hands and feet, diarrhea, fever and chills, fatigue, rapid breathing, severe aches and pains, and vomiting. A dark purple rash could develop in the later stages of the infection.
Treatment For The Disease
Antibiotics are used to treat meningococcal illness. Even before the diagnosis, the healthcare practitioner will put the patient on antibiotics if they suspect traces of meningococcal illness. Commencing treatment as soon as possible is crucial for this disease. Other treatments, such as oxygen therapy, drug treatment for low blood pressure, surgeries, and treatments for damaged or dead skin, will be included.
Consequences Associated With The Illness
The meningococcal infection is dangerous. Even with antibiotic treatment, 10 to 15 out of every 100 patients surrender to death. Up to 20% of survivors may experience long-term effects such as brain damage, deafness, limb loss, nerve damage, or kidney failure.
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A full recovery could require some time. Although the antibiotics are administered over seven to ten days, recovery may take considerably longer. This depends on the complications of the situation.