Meningococcal disease refers to two forms of bacterial infection.

• Meningitis is when bacteria attack the lining surrounding the spinal cord and the brain, causing swelling and inflammation.
• Meningococcemia is when bacteria spread to the bloodstream and attack other parts of the body.

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but very serious disease, and it is sometimes fatal. Despite treatment, 10–15% of people who get this disease die from it. Of those who survive, another 10–20% suffer long-term effects such as brain damage, hearing loss, seizures and/or amputation of limbs.

The early symptoms can closely resemble the flu. These symptoms may develop over a period of one to two days, but sometimes the disease can cause death in a matter of hours. Common symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness and sensitivity to light. A purplish-red rash, primarily on the arms and legs, sometimes develops, especially as the disease advances. Although the best chance for survival is early diagnosis and treatment, it can be hard to make the diagnosis before the illness is more advanced.

Meningococcal disease occurs more often in the winter and early spring.

Meningococcal meningitis is increasing among college-aged students. The number of cases among the 15-to-24-year age group doubled between 1991 and 1997, from 308 to 600 cases per year. First-year college students living in residence halls are up to four times more likely to develop this illness than the general population. Investigations of previous college outbreaks suggest that lifestyle behaviors among college students, such as close living quarters, active and passive smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and bar patronage may be related to the occurrence of these cases. Kissing, sharing eating utensils and exposure to saliva secretions of a person with meningococcal disease increase the risk of contracting the disease.

Both the Menomune and Menactra vaccines can help protect individuals from meningococcal disease, including meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College Health Association (ACHA), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that parents and students should be advised of the availability of this vaccine and that students should be encouraged to consider receiving it.

This vaccine has been shown to be about 85% effective in protecting individuals from four of the five most common strains of the bacteria. Vaccine protection lasts at least three years and can prevent 50–70% of cases on college campuses. Adverse reactions, which are mild and infrequent, usually consist of pain or redness at the injection site. Fever and hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions can occur.

We recommend that you receive the vaccine prior to arriving to campus. If you are unable to do so, the vaccine is available in Student Health Services. The current cost for the Menactra vaccine is $90; you can call 215-204-7500 to schedule an appointment.

When the meningitis vaccine was first recommended for adolescents in 2005, the expectation was that protection would last for 10 years; however, currently available data suggest it wanes in most adolescents within five years. Based on that information, a single dose at the recommended age of 11 or 12 years may not offer protection through the adolescent years at which risk for meningococcal infection is highest (16 though 21 years of age). If we didn’t recommend a booster dose, adolescents at highest risk would not be well-protected.

For more information, contact your family doctor or consult the following sources.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Meningitis Foundation of America
• American College Health Association

If you have additional questions, please call Temple University Student Health Services at 215-204-7500, and ask to speak with a nurse.

The meningitis vaccine is available at Student Health Services for $90.00.