Meningcoccal Disease
There has been an increase in meningococcal disease in New Zealand over the past two years. Meningococcal disease can cause death or permanent disability, such as deafness.
It can affect anyone – but it’s more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults. Students in their first year of tertiary education living in student accommodation may also be at higher risk. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease because it can develop very quickly.
Symptoms of meningitis can develop suddenly and include:
- a high fever
- headache
- sleepiness
- joint and muscle pains.
There can also be some more specific symptoms, such as:
- a stiff neck
- dislike of bright lights
- vomiting
- crying
- refusal to feed (in infants)
- a rash consisting of reddish-purple pin-prick spots or bruises.
If you or anyone in your family has these symptoms, call your doctor straight away or dial 111.
Several vaccines are available which protect against different groups of meningococcal disease – A, C, Y and W135, and B. These vaccines aren’t free, but they’re available for private purchase through general practices if people want them.
Please call us for more information.
