A GUIDE TO MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN MICHIGAN SCHOOLS.

causes of meningococcal meningitis

PictureAn electron microscope image of S. pneumoniae
Meningitis, or inflammation of the meninges, is the swelling of the tissue membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Many different disease agents can cause the onset of meningitis, but bacteria are the most common. There are two main causative agents of bacterial meningitis: Neisseria meningitidis and Steptococcus pneumoniae. S. pneumoniae is more common among infants or toddlers and is a greater concern in day-care settings, while N. meningitidis is more common among young adults just entering college. Other bacteria that can cause meningitis include Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes.
Many of the bacteria that can infect humans with meningitis live within our environment and even in our own body. Certain strains of bacterial meningitis are natural and harmless to the throat, pharynx, and larynx. However, when these organisms enter the bloodstream, they begin to release destructive toxins that lead to cell damage and death.

Meningitis by strain

PictureThe following map indicates the serogroups of meningitis.
There is an incredibly large number of disease agents that are linked to meningococcal infections. The disease-causing bacterium have been grouped into classifications known as serogroups, for which meningitis has five. Serogroups are important for distinguishing the area in which a strain of meningococcal infection originates. 
The meningococcal disease serogroups are:
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. Y
  5. W-135
Since the disease occurs worldwide, it is important to identify the strains indigenous to some regions. However, recent research has shown that the prevalence of long-distance traveling in modern times has caused many of the serogroup bacterium to cross regions they are not natural to.

HOw meningitis is spread

Picture
Coughing, sneezing, and kissing are some of the main means of transmission for bacterial meningitis.
The ways in which meningitis is transmitted depends on the nature of the disease agent. Most bacterial meningitis infections come from direct contact with respiratory secretions from an individual infected with the bacterium. This is a main reason why meningococcal diseases are more common in college dorms and campuses, where students from different regions of the state or country come to live in close quarters for prolonged periods of time. Examples of ways in which it can be transmitted include sneezing on someone without proper sanitation afterward and touching an item frequently used by infected person. Another common instance of meningococcal transmission occurs through kissing, sharing drinks, or sharing eating utensils. An obstacle in identifying the source of meningitis spread is the fact that up to 10% of people are symptomless carriers of the bacteria.
Although it may appear difficult to avoid these microscopic invaders, there are some simple and effective steps you can take to help ensure that you do not contract meningococcal meningitis among other infectious bacterial diseases. The most notable preventative measures are listed below.