FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON MENINGITIS

Q1: What is Meningitis?

• Meningitis is caused by a germ/bacterium called Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus)
which causes inflammation (infection) on the covering of the brain (called meninges) that
surrounds and protects the brain and the spinal cord.
• Meningitis occurs throughout the year, but outbreaks (sudden occurrences) are reported
mostly during winter and spring. Period between being infected and showing first
signs/symptoms of meningitis is commonly 3-4 days but could also be 2-10 days. This is
also called the incubation period.
• The germ can be passed on to others as long as it is found in the nose and mouth.
• Meningitis is curable. This infection can result in permanent brain damage, deafness,
gangrene or even death if not treated early.
• Meningitis can re-occur

There are many types of meningitis. These are:-

• Bacterial meningitis: Are caused by bacteria of which there are many types. For
example meningococcal meningitis, TB, haemophilus influenza and streptococcal
pneumonia. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious of all meningitis and can spread
easily and meningococcal meningitis is the most serious of the bacterial meningites,
All bacterial meningitis is treatable, especially when diagnosed properly and early
treatment is sought.
• Viral meningitis: Is caused by viruses like HIV, mumps, herpes and chicken pox
This type of meningitis is less serious. Viral meningitis tends to cause flu-like
symptoms, such as fever and runny nose, and may be so mild that the illness goes
undiagnosed. Not all viral meningitis are treatable, like HIV and chicken pox.
• Fungal meningitis: Is caused by a fungus like cryptococus. Fungal meningitis is
treatable.

Q2. How do we get meningitis?

The spread of meningococcal meningitis is through direct contact through droplet infection i.e.
is by way of droplets by saliva (spit) from someone who has the disease. This means that
infected person would have to sneeze, laugh or cough in a manner that releases droplets from
him/her to another person.
Epidemics (rapid spread of disease among many people in the same place) more often occur in
crowded living conditions.
1
There is a small proportion of the population that has the germs/organisms living dormant (not
active) in them for one reason or the other. These germs may multiply and cause a full infection
later in life. Some of the reasons include reduced immunity, excessive drinking and smoking.

Q3. What are the symptoms of meningitis?

In adults and older children, the symptoms include:
• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Photophobia (aversion for light)
• Phonophobia (aversion for noise)
• Neck stiffness
• Confusion/not making sense
• Bruise-like rashes on the skin (dark patches)
• Loss of consciousness (coma)

For younger children (less than 2 years of age), the symptoms could include:
• Fever
• Irritability/ high pitch crying
• Lethargy ( child being drowsy and unwell)
• Refusal of food
• Jaundice (yellowish tint to the skin)
• Convulsion (fits)
• Bulging fontanels (soft spot on top of the head)

Diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis is confirmed through a lumbar puncture (removal of

fluid from the lower part of the spine with a hollow needle) or blood smear in the laboratory.

Q4. Who can get meningococcal meningitis infection?

Anyone may be at risk, but particularly those that come in very close contact with a person
infected with meningococcal meningitis. Children under five years are more at risk, as well as
persons with weak immune systems, those that live in overcrowded circumstances, and those in
rooms where there is cigarette smoking.

2
Q5. Is there any treatment for meningitis?
Yes. Treatment is available for bacterial meningitis, including for the most serious type
(Meningococcal meningitis) and fungal meningitis. However, treatment must commence as soon
as possible when symptoms are displayed.
For viral meningitis, there is only supportive treatment and most recover within days without any
form of specific treatment.

Q6. Is there any control measure in the event of any confirmed meningococcal meningitis
outbreak?
Yes. Ciprobay (Ciprofloxacin), a type of antibiotic is offered to all very close contacts of the
person or persons infected. These include:
• Family members within the same household
• Those who share cigarettes, utensils and cutlery with infected persons
• Persons that infected person had kissed
• Classmates of infected persons
• Health practitioners that have been in close contact with infected person, like mouth to
mouth resuscitation.
Note: In the case of meningococcal meningitis only the patients’ very close contacts are
given Ciprobay, others not. The same procedure applies in other countries.

Q7. Is there any vaccine available for Meningococcal meningitis?

Yes. There are vaccines for meningococcal meningitis. However, they are not available in the
public hospitals and clinics, as it is not considered as a priority vaccine at the moment. The
vaccines are available for people who are traveling to regions (Meningitis Belt) where meningitis
is endemic (regularly found). South Africa is not amongst these regions.

Q8. How can one prevent oneself from getting the disease or prevent the spread of
meningitis?
• Avoid contact with an infected person, his/her used cutlery and utensils, sharing of
lipstick, cigarettes, drinking from same cans/bottles
• Avoid overcrowded places
• Good and basic hygienic practices like washing hands before eating and after going to
toilet can prevent a lot of infection and disease
• Avoid kissing of sick people (especially babies) on the mouth
• Covering of mouth and nose whilst coughing and sneezing in the company of others.
3
 Casual contact at school or work with someone who has one of these infections
usually will not result in spreading the disease.

Meningococcal meningitis is a notifiable disease i.e. it must be reported to the relevant health
authorities. The health department undertakes to try to prevent or control these diseases.
• Patients are treated in Respiratory Isolation at beginning of treatment.
• Clothes/bedding of patient with nose and throat fluids must be disinfected.
• Immediate family members and classmates will be monitored for diagnosis of early signs
and depending on closeness to the patient will be giving prophylaxis. (preventative
medication).
• There is no required quarantine period.
• All suspected patients seen at clinics should be examined and referred formally and
promptly.

For further information contact: Hotline: 011 564 2250

Compiled by:

Dr Chika Asomugha:
Health Advisor to MEC
Gauteng Department of Health
076 890 34 29

Brennand Smith
Sub-dir: School Health
Gauteng Department of Education
Tel: 011 3550278/ 082443188