A University of Queensland student, and resident of a student college at UQ’s St Lucia campus, has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease.
Already this year in Queensland a massive 37 people have tested positive for the disease, when only 45 did for the whole of last year.
Close friends and family of the 18-year-old woman have been given antibiotics to help stop further transmission of the bacteria.
Meningococcal disease is described as “severe, but uncommon“, and can cause death within mere hours if not recognised and treated.
According to Meningococcal Australia, while most patients fully recover, 10% will die from the infection, with 20% suffering permanent disability including sight and hearing problems; liver and kidney failure; and the loss of fingers, toes and limbs.
The bacteria is difficult to contract without hanging out with a person who has the bacteria a hell of a lot – it’s transmitted through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions, by say sneezing, sharing food or drinks or pashing.
But carrying the bacteria doesn’t actually mean that you have the disease – the bacteria lives harmlessly in the back of the throat or nose in about 10% of the community, but can spread to others.
It becomes an infection when the bacteria makes its way into the rest of your body, and boy will you know about it. You could end up with a fever, vomiting, fatigue, joint pain, a stiff neck and a rapidly spreading purple rash.
Since 2003, 12-year-olds across Australia have been experiencing horror flashbacks to vaccinated for free against meningococcal bacteria type C.
And in Queensland, Year 10 students can be vaccinated against strains A, C, W and Y for free at school. Any young person aged 15 to 19 can cop a free immunisation for A, C, W and Y from their doctor until May 2018.
Meningococcal disease is usually treated right away with intravenous antibiotics.
It is not yet known what strain of the disease the UQ student has.
