Meningitis: what is it, how dangerous is it, how do you get it, and should you vaccinate?

What is meningitis?

• Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges and, in some cases, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
• The infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and, in some cases, fungi.
• Viral meningitis generally does not cause serious symptoms.
• Bacterial meningitis should be treated promptly due to significant health risks.
• Meningitis as a traveler's disease usually refers to bacterial meningococcal meningitis, of which there are several variants, such as types A, B, C, W, and Y.

Where does meningitis occur?

• Meningitis occurs worldwide
• The risk of infection with meningococcal meningitis is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially during the dry season, and to a lesser extent in Asia.
• Meningitis can occur when large groups of people are crowded together under poor hygienic conditions, such as in a slum or during a pilgrimage. The risk of an epidemic is much higher in such cases. Be extra careful in such situations!

How is meningitis caused?

• Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria in the nasal and pharyngeal cavities and sometimes in the gastrointestinal tract.
• People who (un)knowingly carry the bacteria can infect others through saliva (sneezing, coughing, kissing, etc.).
• The infection can also be transmitted through feces and/or poor hygiene when using the toilet.
• In healthy people, an infection usually does not lead to illness. In this case, the bacteria are removed by our immune system after some time, and you do not become ill.
• Sometimes the bacteria enter the bloodstream. In that case, we call it sepsis. From the blood, the bacteria can spread to the meninges, where they can eventually cause meningitis.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

• Meningitis can be accompanied by many different symptoms. The symptoms depend on the cause and the age of the person affected. Meningitis is also called neck spasm, which causes a person to have difficulty bending their head forward. This phenomenon occurs primarily with bacterial strains.
• With meningitis, in addition to neck spasm, you often also feel flu-like. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, sore throat, vomiting, and muscle aches.
• Loss of consciousness, loss of balance, photophobia, mild to moderate respiratory distress, convulsions, sepsis, encephalitis, bowel problems, and erectile dysfunction may also occur.

Can meningitis be treated?

• A viral infection can often be treated with rest. In other cases, an antiviral course of medication can provide relief.
• For a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics is the treatment of choice. Hospitalization is often required, especially in children. In many cases, the antibiotic course is successful, and the symptoms gradually subside.

What can you do to prevent meningitis abroad?

• Good hygiene initially reduces the risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before and after eating. Avoid contact with potentially infected people.
• There are several forms of meningitis, such as type B and type C. Children have been vaccinated against type B since 1987 and against type C since 2002. Since 2018, types A, Y, and W135 have also been part of the national vaccination program.
• If you have already been partially vaccinated, it may be wise to also be vaccinated against the other forms, depending on the length of your stay and where you are going.
• For example, Saudi Arabia requires meningitis vaccination for pilgrims (Hajj and Umrah) and seasonal workers. You are expected to have received the vaccination at least 10 days before arrival.
• In a large part of sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal to Ethiopia), it is also wise to be vaccinated against the meningitis bacteria during the dry season (November to June).
• A meningitis vaccination consists of a single injection that is effective for three years.