Doane University Logo

Meningitis Information

Meningitis – What students should know

The State of Nebraska requires information on meningococcal disease for newly enrolled students. This information is for all incoming students and their parents/guardians. You can find more information about Nebraska Revised Statute 85-902 by following this link (https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=85-902)

Meningitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused through bacterial, viral, fungal, parasites, injuries, cancer or certain drugs (cdc.gov/meningitis/about/index.html). Bacterial or viral meningitis are the most common causes of meningitis. Meningococcal disease includes the spectrum of invasive infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a gram-negative diplococcus. Meningococcal disease usually presents clinically as meningitis, bacteremia, or both (22). Meningococcal disease also can present as other invasive syndromes such as bacteremic pneumonia, arthritis, and pericarditis. Noninvasive infections such as pneumonia without bacteremia, conjunctivitis, or urethritis also might occur. Meningococcal disease develops rapidly, often among previously healthy persons, and results in high morbidity and mortality. Even with appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the overall case-fatality ratio in the United States is 15%, and 10%–20% of survivors have long-term sequelae such as neurologic disability, limb or digit loss, or hearing loss (22,23). (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/rr/rr6909a1.htm)

Following are some commonly asked questions and answers about meningococcal meningitis, the risk for college students and vaccination:

What causes meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a leading cause of meningitis and/or blood poisoning in teenagers and young adults in the United States.

How common is meningococcal meningitis?
  • Meningococcal meningitis strikes about 4,100 Americans each year causing more than 500 deaths annually.
  • It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal meningitis occur annually on college campuses and 5 to 15 students die as a result.
How is meningococcal meningitis spread?
  • Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted person to person through air droplets from infected persons.
  • Oral contact with shared items such as cigarettes or drinking glasses or through intimate contact such as kissing, or living in crowded conditions,  could put a person at risk for contracting the disease.
  • It occurs most often in late winter and early spring -- at a time when most college students are away at school.
What are the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis?
  • Symptoms can resemble the flu and may include high fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and/or a rash.
  • If not detected early, the disease can progress, often within hours of the first signs of symptoms.
  • An Accurate diagnosis is important and if students begin to have symptoms, they need to notify health services right away.
Who is at risk for meningococcal meningitis?

According to the World Health Organization, meningitis can affect anyone, anywhere and at any age. Meningococcal meningitis outbreaks occur more frequently under special risk conditions, such as where people are living in close proximity to each other. 

  • According to the NHI, The overall incidence of meningococcal disease in the United States has declined in the past few decades, and today it remains a rare disease. In that context, however, it is important to understand that college attendance seems to increase the risk of MenB disease, as it did the risk of disease caused by other meningococcal serogroups before the universal MenACWY vaccine recommendation [10]. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7192401/)
  • College students: Historically, college freshman living in residence halls were identified as being at increased risk for meningococcal disease (55). With improved control of serogroups C, W, and Y disease after widespread use of MenACWY vaccine among adolescents, the risk for meningococcal disease among college students is greatest for serogroup B, with a relative risk of 3.5 compared with persons not attending college, although serogroup B disease incidence among this population is low (0.17 cases per 100,000 population) (56). Risk factors for serogroup B meningococcal disease among undergraduate college students include age 18–20 years, attendance at a 4-year college, freshman class year, and on-campus residence (56,57). Although not assessed outside of outbreak settings, participation in a fraternity or sorority is an additional risk factor during serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreaks (57). (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/rr/rr6909a1.htm)
What are the CDC and ACHA recommendations for college students and meningococcal vaccination?

All 11- to 12-year-old adolescents should receive a MenACWY vaccine. Since protection wanes, CDC recommends a MenACWY booster dose at age 16 years. The booster dose provides protection during the ages when adolescents are at highest risk.
 

Optional vaccination against Meninigitis B CDC recommends a shared clinical decision-making process to decide if MenB vaccination is appropriate for individual adolescents or young adults.
Administer 2 doses, 6 months apart, to those who want MenB vaccination.

The American College Health Association (ACHA) recommends the same.

What is the Doane University requirement for meningococcal vaccination?

Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) immunization is required for students at Doane University. 1 dose after the age of 16 is part of the required vaccinations for incoming students. For more information regarding the required vaccinations at Doane University, please visit https://web.doane.edu/offices-services/student-services/student-health/…

Where can I get more information about meningococcal meningitis and vaccination?