How Much Do You Know About Meningitis B?

The correct answer is: Meningitis is the clinical term for inflammation of the meninges, protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can have many different causes. Most cases are caused by viruses and bacteria. Meningitis B is caused by a bacterial infection with serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

The correct answer is: It’s estimated that one out of every ten people carry bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. While they do not develop symptoms or become ill, they can spread the bacteria to others. The bacteria reside in the back of the nose and throat and can be spread through activities like drinking from the same water bottle, sharing utensils, and kissing. It can also be spread through coughing, though meningococcal disease is not as contagious as the flu or the cold.

The correct answer is: In a given year, there are an estimated 350 cases of meningococcal disease in the United States—and 200 of those estimated cases are caused by serogroup B bacteria. The majority of cases of meningococcal disease affect children younger than one year old. A large percentage of cases occur in teens and young adults ages 16 to 23.

The correct answer is: In addition to infecting the meninges, the bacteria that cause meningitis can also spread to the bloodstream. You may see this referred to as meningococcemia, meningococcal septicemia, or sepsis. Bloodstream infections can damage blood vessels, cause internal bleeding, and cause damage to organs, tissues, and extremities.

The correct answer is: Even with antibiotic treatment, 10 to 15 percent of cases of meningitis B are fatal. This percentage is much higher in cases where the infection spreads to the bloodstream. It is also much higher in cases where the infection goes untreated. Because meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, early treatment is critical.

The correct answer is: Roughly 20 percent of people who survive meningococcal disease experience complications that can include hearing loss, vision loss, nerve damage, scarring of the skin, and loss of limbs.

The correct answer is: In the United States, there are two vaccines that protect against meningococcal disease: 1) The MenACWY vaccine, which protects against bacteria in serogroups A, C, W, and Y; and 2) the MenB vaccine, which protects against bacteria in serogroup B. While the MenACWY vaccine is part of routines vaccinations—meaning it is recommended for nearly everyone—the MenB vaccine is only recommended for people at increased risk. However, people who are at normal risk for meningitis B can choose to receive the MenB vaccine.

The correct answer is: The MenB vaccine is given to people at normal risk who are between the ages of 16 and 23 years, but the preferred age to receive the MenB vaccination is 16 to 18 years.

The correct answer is: The MenB vaccine does NOT contain live bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease. The MenB vaccine contains proteins that are found on the outer capsules of serogroup B bacteria. When the immune system encounters these proteins, it begins making antibodies that protect against serogroup B bacteria.

The correct answer is: In recent decades, there have been a number of outbreaks of meningitis B on college campuses in the United States. As a result, some colleges now strongly recommend that students receive the MenB vaccine, and some colleges require students to have the MenB vaccine.

The correct answer is: A person requires at least two doses of the MenB vaccine in order to get the most protection. In the U.S., there are two different MenB vaccines approved by the FDA, and the same vaccine must be used for all doses.