• Meningitis
• Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus [muh-ning-goh-KOK-us]. These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia).

These bacteria spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit (e.g., by living in close quarters, kissing). Doctors treat meningococcal disease with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense against meningococcal disease.

Causes

Bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis cause meningococcal disease. About 1 in 10 people have these bacteria in the back of their nose and throat with no signs or symptoms of disease; this is called being 'a carrier'. But sometimes the bacteria invade the body and cause certain illnesses, which are known as meningococcal disease.

There are five serogroups (types) of Neisseria meningitidis – A, B, C, W, and Y – that cause most disease worldwide. Three of these serogroups (B, C, and Y) cause most of the illness seen in the United States.

People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu. People do not catch them through casual contact or by breathing air where someone with meningococcal disease has been.

Sometimes the bacteria spread to people who have had close or lengthy contact with a patient with meningococcal disease. Those at increased risk of getting sick include:

• People who live with the patient
• Anyone with direct contact with the patient's oral secretions, such as a boyfriend or girlfriend

Close contacts of someone with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotics to help prevent them from getting the disease. This is known as prophylaxis (pro-fuh-lak-sis).

Health departments investigate each case of meningococcal disease to identify all close contacts and make sure they receive prophylaxis. This does not mean that the contacts have the disease; it is to prevent it. People who are not a close contact of a patient with meningococcal disease do not need prophylaxis.

Seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms of meningococcal disease. Symptoms of meningococcal disease can first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen. The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and septicemia. Both of these types of infections are very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours.

Meningococcal Meningitis
Doctors call meningitis caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal meningitis. When someone has meningococcal meningitis, the bacteria infect the protective membranes covering their brain and spinal cord and cause swelling.

The most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck

There are often additional symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
• Altered mental status (confusion)

If you think you have any of these symptoms, call the doctor right away.

Meningococcal Septicemia (aka Meningococcemia)
Doctors call septicemia (a bloodstream infection) caused by Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels. This causes bleeding into the skin and organs.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Cold hands and feet
• Cold chills
• Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest or abdomen (belly)
• Rapid breathing
• Diarrhea
• In the later stages, a dark purple rash

If you think you have any of these symptoms, call the doctor right away.

Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best defense against meningococcal disease. Maintaining healthy habits, like getting plenty of rest and not having close contact with people who are sick, also helps.

Vaccination

• Meningococcal Vaccine
• Meningococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know
• Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccines (MenB): What You Need to Know

Vaccines help protect against all three serogroups (B, C, and Y) of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria commonly seen in the United States. Like with any vaccine, meningococcal vaccines are not 100% effective. This means there is still a chance you can develop meningococcal disease after vaccination. People should know the symptoms of meningococcal disease since early recognition and quick medical attention are extremely important.

CDC recommends vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (ACWY) for all preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old, with a booster dose at 16 years old. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 year olds) also may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine.

Learn more about what everyone should know about meningococcal vaccination.

Antibiotics

Close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick. This is known as prophylaxis (pro-fuh-lak-sis).

Examples of close contacts include:

• People in the same household or roommates
• Anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (saliva or spit), such as a boyfriend or girlfriend

Doctors or local health departments recommend who should get prophylaxis.

Re-Infection

If you get meningococcal disease twice, your doctor should check to see if you have an underlying immune deficiency.

Although rare, people can get meningococcal disease more than once. A previous infection will not offer lifelong protection from future infections. Therefore, CDC recommends meningococcal vaccines for all preteens and teens. In certain situations, children and adults should also get meningococcal vaccines.

Videos

• CUPS: Meningitis Prevention – Princeton University meningitis B outbreak Student Health Advisory Board
• Meningitis is Sneaky – Good Day Sacramento
• Cover Your Cough – Humorous, but informative

Websites

• Bacterial Meningitis – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Meningococcal Vaccine – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Meningococcal Disease FAQ – NY State Department of Health