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Smokers, Women and Nightclubbers in Meningitis Link, Study Reveals

Posted on: Thursday, 27 October 2005, 06:00 CDT

By TONY WOOLWAY Western Mail

SMOKERS, women and nightclubbers are three times as likely to carry the bacterium that causes meningitis, a study reveals. Teenagers, people from manual-work social classes and those who have recently had colds are also at higher risk of carrying the meningococcus bug in their throats and noses, according to the research carried out at a Powys school.

The study, the first of its kind in Wales and published as doctors forecast a continuing rise in meningitis this winter, points to who may be at greater risk of developing the disease.

One in 10 people carry the bacteria at any one time, 50 per cent in some outbreaks, but doctors do not understand why a tiny minority go on to get the disease and others do not.

Communicable disease consultant Dr Alwyn Davies, who headed the research during an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in the area, hopes that improved understanding of who is most likely to carry the bug, will help in the search to pinpoint who will then succumb to it.

During the study 119 pupils aged 11 to 18 were asked to fill in lifestyle questionnaires and throat swabs were taken.

Fifteen per cent carried the meningococcus bug, which can cause meningitis. Of these only two carried the meningococcal source of the outbreak of meningitis in the area at the time, which affected five people, including three pupils at the school.

Researchers found that smokers were at 19% risk of being carriers and regular disco-goers at 21% risk, both risks were three times the risks faced by non-smokers and non-disco-goers.

Pupils of families from the manual-work classes were five times more at risk, and girls three-and-a- half times more at risk.

Pupils aged over 13 were also more likely to be carriers.

Source: Western Mail

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