Question 1

what is meningococcal?

Accepted Answer

Meningococcal means: Related to the meningococcus, a bacterium that can cause bacterial meningitis and/or meningococcemia (a potentially very serious cause of bacteria in the blood).

Question 2

is meningococcal easy to catch?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It's highly contagious, but fortunately not very common.  Vaccination is recommended for people traveling to endemic areas, or to some people living in crowded quarters, such as military barracks or school dormitories.  There have also been cases among gay men in big cities who frequent bathhouses or sex clubs.

Question 3

how can one detect if someone has meningococcal?

Accepted Answer

Very ill: Meningococcus is not a minor illness, but patients tend to become very ill very rapidly.  If there is an outbreak locally and someone you know may have been exposed, taking prophylaxis is important.  Lacking a local outbreak we would do blood cultures, but suspect it in persons with a petechial rash, a headache, muscle aches, and/or high fevers early on.  Later, purpora, shock, and unconsciousness.

Question 4

how  contagious is meningococcal menintitis?

Accepted Answer

Very: Meningococcal meningitis is usually transmitted by airborne droplets.
Isolation with masks, gloves and gowns are required for contact with infected patients.

Question 5

what makes meningococcal so deadly and so quickly?

Accepted Answer

Bad Bad Bad Bug: Neisseria meningitidis has 'virulence(invasion) factors' allowing it to stick on cells lining the nose & throat (pili & opscity proteins).  It has a complex capsule that coats the organism & protects it from our immune system.  Chemicals w/in the organism cause host cell walls to change & allow infectn.  It makes a toxin (los) that makes our immune system go haywire w/sepsis & cardiovasc collapse.

Question 6

can meningococcal meningitis be passed on from person to person?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory droplets: Meningococcus lives in peoples' noses, and can be transmitted by cough or sneezing. Only a few of the people who inhale meningococcus will actually get sick, but those who do get sick will be in grave danger.

Question 7

how deadly is meningococcal?

Accepted Answer

Very: Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 8 patients infected with this bacteria will die, even with treatment.  Get vaccinated!

Question 8

meningococcal: any risks to your health when taking public transport?

Accepted Answer

Relax!: Meningococcal disease is very uncommon, and you don't need to worry about taking public transportation.

Question 9

if i got all my shots for hep and meningococcal and others ones i had to get when i was younger (born 1990) should i be safe against the diseases?

Accepted Answer

Immunizations: The vaccines you received should provide good coverage for  their respectives diseases; however; should be aware that sometimes even after vaccination you can still get sick and also for some vaccine you will need a booster dose for continued protection.

Question 10

is the meningococcal vaccination painful?

Accepted Answer

Of course.: Aren't all injections a little painful? I think so! but it's a small price to pay for the lifesaving protection they afford. I don't think the Meningococcal vaccine is any more painful than other shots, although i must admit there are a few of my patients who might disagree with me. ;).

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Doctor answers about:

Meningococcal vac a medication

A member asked:

What is meningococcal?

A member asked:

Is meningococcal easy to catch?

A member asked:

How can one detect if someone has meningococcal?

A member asked:

How contagious is meningococcal menintitis?

A member asked:

What makes meningococcal so deadly and so quickly?

A member asked:

Can meningococcal meningitis be passed on from person to person?

A member asked:

How deadly is meningococcal?

A member asked:

Meningococcal: any risks to your health when taking public transport?

A member asked:

If i got all my shots for hep and meningococcal and others ones i had to get when i was younger (born 1990) should i be safe against the diseases?

A member asked:

Is the meningococcal vaccination painful?

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