Meningitis

Overview

Meningococcal (muh-nin-jo-cok-ul) disease is a serious bacterial infection that most often leads to severe swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or infection of the bloodstream (meningococcemia). Even with treatment, approximately one out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die; of those who survive, about two in 10 will have permanent problems including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss or amputation of arms, legs, fingers or toes.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is committed to increasing awareness about meningococcal disease among consumers and health care providers, and to prevention of meningococcal disease through vaccination.

In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new type of meningococcal disease vaccine, called a conjugate vaccine. The conjugate vaccine is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a number of major health care organizations (e.g., American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College Health Association) for adolescents ages 11-12 and, for those who haven't previously received it, at high school entry (age 15). The vaccine is also recommended for college freshmen who will be living in dormitories.

Talk to your health care provider about your children's vaccination status if they fall into any of these categories to ensure that your child or teen is protected against this potentially deadly disease. To find out more about meningococcal disease, visit the links in this section that include information for consumers/patients, health care providers and the media.