Health officials have confirmed that meningitis B is the strain identified in some of the cases in Kent, following an outbreak that has claimed the lives of two students. An 18-year-old A-level student named Juliette and a university student have died, raising urgent questions about this serious infection and its impact on young people.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection, with bacterial meningitis being rarer but more severe than viral meningitis. While it can affect anyone, it is more common in babies, children, teenagers, and young adults. If not treated quickly, meningitis can lead to life-threatening sepsis and permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
Understanding Meningitis B
One of the bacteria that causes meningitis is called meningococcus, which can live harmlessly in people's throats but can cause serious illness if it enters the blood or spinal fluid. There are different types of this bacteria, with the most common known as type B, often referred to as meningitis B or MenB. According to Meningitis Now, MenB is one of the most common causes of meningitis in the UK.
Vaccination Options
Multiple meningitis vaccines are available in the UK, but the majority of young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B unless they have had the jab privately. The MenB vaccine was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015, offering protection against meningococcal group B bacteria. It is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.
Other routine childhood jabs, such as the 6-in-1 and pneumococcal vaccines, can also protect against meningitis. Additionally, the MenACWY vaccine, a single-dose jab that protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria, was introduced in 2015. It is offered to teenagers in school and is available to those entering university up to the age of 25.
Access to the MenB Vaccine for Young People
Meningitis Now has called for teenagers and young people to be vaccinated against meningitis B on the NHS. The charity launched a new campaign, No Plan B for men B, advocating for MenB jabs to be given to those most at risk and a booster programme to protect adolescents from 2030. They also recommend that MenB jabs should be available on the high street at a fair price. Currently, the vaccine is available privately, costing around £110 per dose, with a minimum of two doses required.
Why Young People Are at Risk
According to Meningitis Now, one in four 15 to 19-year-olds carry meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats, compared to one in ten of the UK population. People can carry this bacteria harmlessly without becoming unwell, but it can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and kissing. Increased social interaction in this age group facilitates easier transmission.
In universities, students are more vulnerable due to living in cramped housing or halls of residence. Young people from diverse backgrounds come together to live, study, and socialise, further increasing the risk of spread.
Symptoms of Meningitis
Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis can include:
- A high temperature
- Cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Muscle and joint pain
- Pale, mottled, or blotchy skin
- Spots or a rash
- A headache
- A stiff neck
- Aversion to bright lights
- Excessive sleepiness
- Seizures
Symptoms can appear in any order, and some may not appear at all, making early detection challenging.
Treatment for Meningitis
Hospital treatment is recommended by the NHS for all cases of bacterial meningitis. Treatments include:
- Antibiotics and fluids administered directly into a vein
- Oxygen if there are breathing difficulties
- In some cases, steroid medication to prevent swelling around the brain
Patients may need to stay in hospital for a few days or weeks. For mild meningitis, if tests confirm it is viral, patients may be sent home, as viral meningitis usually improves on its own within seven to ten days. However, severe viral meningitis may also require hospital treatment.
