Myths and facts about invasive meningococcal disease that you should be aware of ahead of World Meningitis Day
JOBURG – IMD is often misdiagnosed as something less serious because early symptoms are similar to flu and other common viral illnesses.
World Meningitis Day falls on 24 April and this year’s theme is TakeAction #DefeatMeningitis.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Because of the severity of meningitis and the fact that the disease can take a loved one’s life in under 24 hours, the World Health Organisation has approved a Global Roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030.
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by a bacterium that can lead to more serious manifestations, including meningitis and septic shock.
If left untreated, severe long-term consequences can include deafness and brain damage leading to severe cognitive and functional problems, and in the case of septic shock, can include limb amputations.
According to Dr Nasiha Soofie, medical head at Sanofi Pasteur Vaccines, “When someone has IMD, the most important thing is to act fast. Any delay in diagnosis and treatment claims lives and leaves many others with serious lifelong after effects.”
Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the disease, and symptoms can be confused with those of other diseases such as the flu, malaria or Covid-19.
Saving a life is as easy as ensuring that you are aware of the signs and symptoms. Here are a few myths and facts about IMD that you should be aware of.
Myth: IMD is easy to diagnose.
- Fact: IMD is often misdiagnosed as something less serious because early symptoms are similar to flu and other common viral illnesses. Symptoms may include some combination of high fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and a purplish rash.
Myth: IMD is only dangerous in young children.
- Fact: While it is most common in infants younger than one, anyone can get IMD. Also, adolescents, students and others who live in dormitories, and other young adults are at increased risk of getting IMD compared to children and older adults.
Myth: Meningococcal vaccines can cause meningococcal disease.
- Fact: It is not possible to get IMD from vaccination. Side-effects from vaccines are generally mild and uncommon and may include redness or swelling at the site of injection which can last up to two days. Meningococcal vaccines protect against the death toll and severe complications caused by IMD.
Myth: Healthy adolescents and young adults don’t have to worry about getting IMD.
- Fact: IMD is rare, but the risk of getting it increases in adolescents and young adults. The disease can progress rapidly, killing an otherwise healthy individual in 24–48 hours.
Myth: Meningococcal disease is spread by casual contact with an infected person, such as shaking hands.
- Fact: Meningococcal meningitis is spread through air droplets and direct contact with an infected person. It is not spread through casual contact.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in some people missing their immunisations – and the number of IMD cases is expected to rise when people are able to gather in large groups again,” said Soofie.
Vaccination is recommended, especially for people at higher risk of IMD. This includes people with a damaged immune system, healthy infants, young children attending creche and schoolchildren, university students, army recruits and others living in crowded conditions.
This World Meningitis Day take action to #DefeatMengitis. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further information about optimal protection against this devastating disease.
