Earlier this year, teenagers and especially students were advised to get immunised against a strain of meningitis and septicemia called meningitis W, a highly aggressive variant of the disease which has been on the rise since 2009.
Students going to university are particularly at risk because of their likelihood to come into contact with lots of new people. Sharing close living quarters in student halls, including bathrooms and kitchens, means germs transfer much more easily. On top of that, there’s a mountain of social events such as flat parties and club nights where you’ll come into close contact with loads of people sharing cigarettes, drinks, kisses and maybe more.
An outbreak of the new strain was declared in England and Wales this February by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, so free vaccinations have been made available to all new and returning students at high school, university and college. The MenACWY vaccine protects against four different types of meningitis and septicaemia –meningococcal Men A, C, W and Y. It’s available for 14-18 year olds and students under 25. First time university freshers have been advised to contact their GPs to get immunised.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is caused by an invasive infection of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis or meningococcus. There are twelve known groups, of which B, C, W and Y have appeared in the UK. The disease affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing them to become inflamed, which can sometimes result in irreparable damage. Ten per cent of the population carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their throats but this is healthy and should help develop immunity.
What can happen?
Bacteria can be passed by coughing, sneezing or kissing, and occasionally the bacteria beats the body’s defences and causes infection. It breaks through the lining at the back of the throat and passes into the bloodstream, causing meningitis. Whilst in the bloodstream, the bacteria can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Men W infections are particularly severe, and generally need to be treated in intensive care. They have a higher death rate than the more common Men C and Men B strains, proving fatal in 1 in 10 cases.
The after-effects of meningococcal meningitis can include memory loss, behavioural and emotional problems, loss of sight and hearing and even brain injury, while the after-effects of meningococcal septicaemia can include skin and tissue damage, skin growth problems, organ failure and limb loss.
What should I look out for?
The danger is that this new strain is a very rapidly developing disease. Early symptoms include headaches, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet – so the typical signs of a hangover could be something more sinister. A rash of small red pinpricks may also appear due to septicaemia, and if the rash doesn’t fade when glass is pressed against it, seek help. Symptoms can seem benign but the disease can take hold extremely quickly, kill in a matter of days or leave individuals severely disabled
Professor John Watson, deputy chief medical officer said that “there has been a steady and rapid increase in the MenW strain since 2009 in the student population.” And when someone that high up in the profession notes a trend, it’s time to take action.
Sophie Royce, 23, from Surrey, lost the tips of her fingers and toes to meningitis W when she contracted the disease two year ago. To save her life she needed 30 operations, 37 blood transfusions and eight-and-a-half weeks of hospital care. She said in a post on the Meningococcal Septicaemia & Other Stories Facebook page: “I had total organ failure, my lungs were overloaded with fluid from my body being poisoned from the inside out.”
If you see any signs, seek medical help immediately and if you haven’t already, book in for a vaccination as soon as possible.
