EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS ESSENTIAL

ISOLATION OF BACTERIA THROUGH A POSITIVE BLOOD CULTURE, CEREBROSPINAL FLUID CULTURE, OR LESION SCRAPING CONFIRMS THE DIAGNOSIS.

TREATMENT

As soon as meningococcal infection is suspected appropriate antibiotic treatment should commence immediately. It should be commenced prior to lab results. Every minute wasted brings a patient closer to long term damage.  This involves large doses of antibiotics being administered by IV.  Doctors in general practice should consider carrying Benzylpenicillin in their bags - treatment should be started prior to hospitalisation.

PROTECTION

Prevention is always better than cure!

Sadly anyone at any time is susceptible to meningococcal disease, so how do we limit our exposure or risk of infection?

VACCINATION

Immunisation remains your best defence against the meningococcal C strain. C strain meningococcal disease is the most virulent form of meningococcal disease.

There is no vaccination at present that will cover the 13 sub-strains of B strain meningococcal disease in Australia .

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FREE NATIONAL VACCINATION PROGRAM

In 2003 the Health Minister announced a free national vaccination program for C strain meningococcal disease.

In the beginning the program will concentrate on teenagers aged between 15-17 years, as these students will be leaving school within the immediate future.

Over the next four years all children aged between 1 and 15 will be vaccinated either through their schools or as part of their normal vaccination program. It will then be part of the standard recommended childhood immunisation schedule.

HOW BEST TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE B STRAIN.

Meningococcal disease is only contacted by direct contact with droplets of saliva carrying active meningococcal bacteria.

COUGH The brain sends out a cough reaction on signal, the lungs fill with air, the epiglottis closes, and the ribs and diaphragm are pushed sharply against the lungs, thereby increasing the lungs pressure.  Our epiglottis flies open and air rushes out - dislodging bacteria	SNEEZE Our throat and windpipe close, muscles in our chest and abdomen press the lungs and squash the air inside.  When our windpipe and throat open again, high pressure air blasts through the nose to blow away irritants.

IMAGINE a balloon filled with air. If, instead of tying the balloon off we inserted a cork, this would then be similar to a human cough or sneeze.  If suddenly we banged the side of the balloon the pressure created would force the cork from the balloon high into the air.  This is similar to the distance bacteria and germs can be carried from our body's airways when we cough or sneeze..It travels at almost the speed of sound.

SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

1. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
2. Don't smoke – (exhaled smoke contains saliva droplets.
3. Don't share drinks, ice-creams, food or eating utensils
4. Don't place a baby's dummy in your mouth (not only for protection against meningococcal disease but also to protect baby from the many other bacteria that we carry naturally in our throat.
5. Don't share lipsticks, lip gloss etc.
6. Don't share toothbrushes
7. Spitting
8. Consider twice before you pass on a musical instrument.

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