Text_Files/Meningococcal_Illness.txt

Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
 
MENINGOCOCCAL ILLNESS 
 
Meningococcal Illnesses are caused by a 
bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis (N. 
meningitidis) and are serious, sometimes fatal 
illnesses.  The most common illness is meningitis, 
an infection of the coverings of the brain.  
Meningitis caused by N. meningitidis  must be 
treated immediately with hospitalization and IV 
(intravenous) antibiotics.  The disease usually 
starts suddenly with fever, chills, and lethargy 
(i.e., a feeling of tiredness) and a rash with fine 
red “freckles” or purple splotches.  With 
meningitis, older children and adults may 
complain of severe headache, neck pain and neck 
stiffness.  In younger children, unusual irritability, 
poor appetite, excessive and high- pitched crying, 
vomiting and fever may be seen. 
 
Who gets this disease? 
Meningococcal illnesses affect children less than 
5 years primarily affecting infants less than 24 
months.  It peaks again in adolescents 16-21 years 
of age.  There is a high incidence N. meningitidis  
with people living in crowded living conditions 
such as barracks and institutions.  Freshman 
college students living in dormitories have a 
higher incidence than other college students not 
living in dorms.  This illness can affect any age 
group. 
 
How is it spread? 
The bacterium is passed from  person to person 
when they are in very close contact.  It is spread 
through infectious droplets of respiratory tract 
secretions (e.g., sneezing, coughing, nasal 
discharge, saliva).  It can also be passed if people 
touch infected secretions then put their hands in 
their noses, eyes or mouths.  However, the 
bacteria cannot live on environmental surfaces – 
they quickly shrivel and die. 
People can carry the germs, without knowing it, in 
their noses, mouths or throats without ever getting 
sick themselves.  Thi s is called “carrying” the 
germ or being a “carrier”.  The germs can be 
spread from carriers to other people who may then 
develop a meningococcal illness.  Obviously, sick 
people can also pass the germs on. 
 
The time from exposure to illness can be from 2-
10 days, but it is usually one to four days.  After 
one infection has occurred in a facility, there will 
be more than the usual number of people carrying 
the germ, so the risk of spread and serious disease 
becomes greater. 
 
How is it diagnosed and treated? 
Meningococcal infections are diagnosed by signs 
and symptoms and by examining a sample of 
blood and/or spinal fluid for white blood cells and 
bacteria.  Spinal fluid is obtained by a physician, 
who performs a lumbar puncture (i.e., spinal tap). 
 
People wi th these infections almost always 
require hospitalization and are treated with 
antibiotics for 5-7 days. 
 
How can the spread of this disease be 
prevented? 
1. Meningititis Conjugate Vaccine is 
recommended for all children 11 -12 years 
of age.  It is also recomm ended for all 
children 13-18 years of age who have not 
been previously vaccinated.  Unvaccinated 
college freshmen living in a dormitory 
should be vaccinated. 
2. Meningitis Quadrivalent vaccine is 
available for children 2 years old and 
older. 
3. If a person devel ops a meningococcal 
illness in a childcare center, all parents and 
staff must be notified immediately. 


MENINGOCOCCAL ILLNESS (cont.) 
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
4. If a person develops a meningococcal 
illness, close contacts of this patient 
(including family members and person 
having intimate contact such as sleepin g 
together, hugging and kissing) are at 
increased risk of developing the illness.  In 
this situation, a physician or public health 
professional may recommend: 1) watching 
for early symptoms of meningococcal 
illness, and/or 2) taking a preventive 
antibiotic to eliminate the bacteria from 
the body before disease begins. 
5. Any child or adult who is a close contact 
and who develops symptoms such as fever 
or headache require prompt evaluation by 
a healthcare provider regardless  of 
whether or not this person has ta ken the 
preventive antibiotic. 
6. Monitor the situation closely for two to 
three weeks.  Make sure all ill children are 
seen by their doctors and that you are 
notified if another person develops 
meningococcal disease. 
7. Notify parents or guardians about the 
occurrence of this illness and urge them to 
contact their healthcare provider  for 
specific medical advice. 
8. Childcare centers should contact the NH 
Department of Health & Human Services, 
Bureau of Infectious Disease and Control  
for recommendations about preventing 
spread of this illness and for assistance in 
implementing them. 
 
Who should be excluded? 
Children with meningococcal disease are too ill to 
attend childcare.   
 
Reportable? 
Yes.  Meningococcal illnesses are reportable by 
New Hampshire law to the NH De partment of 
Health & Human Services, Bureau of Infectious 
Disease and Control at (603) 271-4496.