What is infectious meningitis?
Infectious meningitis (meningococcal disease) is caused by the meningococcal bacteria, and can cause life-threatening diseases such as septicemia and meningitis. The disease is treated with antibiotics. The meningococcal bacteria are transmitted via droplet transmission, and infection usually requires close contact.
Exchange of saliva, such as when sharing glasses and bottles, kissing and other intimate contact, are among possible ways of infection. People who have been in close contact with a person with infectious meningitis are called close contacts. This group usually consists of people who are in the same household as the sick person, or similarly close (close family members, children in the same kindergarten group, close friends, girlfriend). The risk of being infected as a close contact is initially low. In addition, the risk of becoming ill for the person who is infected is low.
What should people in the immediate environment be aware of?
Although the probability of more people becoming ill is very low, it is nevertheless important that people in the immediate environment of the sick are aware of symptoms. This applies especially in the first week. Those who are defined as close contacts have a somewhat higher risk of being infected and will be contacted directly by the health service to receive preventive treatment with a dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
What symptoms should I look for?
The first signs are often vague and can resemble the flu. You should pay particular attention if you have fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. In case of blood poisoning, tiny red or purple spots may eventually appear on the skin. These are characterized by the fact that they do not disappear when you press a transparent glass against them. Neck stiffness and impaired consciousness are signs that can come late in the course of meningitis.
More information about infectious meningitis can be found on the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s website
