Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness that is caused by the type of bacteria calledย Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. These bacteria are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or flu. People do not catch the bacteria through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been. It requires close contact over a period of time, or direct contact such as kissing or sharing drinks.
These illnesses are often severe and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia).
Transmission
Meningococcus bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit (e.g., by living in close quarters, kissing).
Certain groups are at increased risk for meningococcal disease, including:
- Age:ย Health care providers more commonly diagnose meningococcal disease in infants, teens and young adults, and older adults.
- Group Settings: The risk for meningococcal disease in college students, particularly for those living in close quarters, is slightly higher than the risk in other teens and young adults who are not attending college.
- Certain Medical Conditions:ย Certain medical conditions and medications put people at increased risk for meningococcal disease, such as people without a spleen, with blood disorders, or living with HIV.
- Travel:ย Travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is common may be at risk.
Symptoms
Meningococcal disease can lead to meningitis (infection and swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (infection of the bloodstream).
Early symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, and rash. Anyone who has been exposed or develops symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately
Meningococcal Meningitis
Symptoms can first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen. Symptoms include:
- Fever, headache, and stiff neck
- Nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, and rash
Symptoms can differ in infants and may include:
- Slow or inactivity, irritability, vomiting, poor feeding, or a bulging soft spot on their head
Meningococcal Septicemia (Meningococcemia)
Symptoms may include:
- Fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, and diarrhea.
- Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or abdomen. In the later stages, a dark purple rash.
Testing
If meningococcal disease is suspected, samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (surrounding the spinal cord) are collected and sent to the laboratory for testing.
Treatment
Meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important.
Health care providers prescribe antibiotics to treat meningococcal disease. People with meningococcal disease are no longer able to spread it to others after taking an appropriate antibiotic for 24 hours. People may also need advanced medical care, which could include treatment in an intensive care unit.
Prevention
Maintaining healthy habits, like getting plenty of rest and not coming into close contact with people who are sick, and immunizations.
Meningococcal vaccines protect against most types of meningococcal disease, although they do not prevent all cases. There are two kinds of vaccines for meningococcal disease available in the U.S., meningococcal polysaccharide and meningococcal conjugate.