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Overview

Meningococcal Disease Overview

Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause meningitis, an infection of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord, or a bloodstream infection called meningococcemia. The illness can progress quickly and may affect anyone, although certain ages, health conditions and close-contact settings increase the risk.

Emergency Warning Signs

Emergency Warning Signs

Get emergency help

Do not wait for symptoms to worsen

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department immediately for sudden fever with a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, extreme sleepiness, seizures, trouble breathing, collapse, or a dark purple or non-blanching rash. These symptoms may indicate meningococcal meningitis or a bloodstream infection.

Meningococcal disease can progress within hours, and a rash may be absent early in the illness. Do not wait for every symptom to appear, and do not drive yourself if you are severely ill or confused; ask someone to call emergency services.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Meningococcal Disease

Symptoms may begin suddenly and can resemble other infections, especially early in the illness. Meningococcal meningitis may cause symptoms related to inflammation around the brain, while bloodstream infection can cause rapidly worsening whole-body symptoms.

  • Fever, which may appear suddenly.
  • Severe headache.
  • Stiff neck (neck rigidity).
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Confusion or difficulty staying oriented.
  • Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking.
  • Muscle or joint pain.
  • Cold hands and feet.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • A dark purple or non-blanching rash that does not fade when pressed.

How It Spreads

How Meningococcal Disease Spreads

Neisseria meningitidis can spread through respiratory or throat secretions during close or prolonged contact. Examples include kissing or sharing saliva, drinks or utensils. Casual contact, such as briefly passing someone in a public place, generally does not spread meningococcal disease.

  • Living in a dormitory, military barracks or another crowded setting may increase exposure.
  • Household contact with someone who carries or has meningococcal disease can increase risk.
  • Direct exposure to an infected person’s oral or throat secretions can spread the bacteria.
  • Being in a setting where public-health officials identify a meningococcal meningitis outbreak may increase exposure risk.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Meningococcal Disease

Risk factor groupExamples
Age and living environmentYoung age, adolescence, young adulthood, and living in a dormitory or other crowded setting.
Medical conditionsAbsence of a functioning spleen, certain immune-system disorders, HIV infection, or treatment with medicines that affect immunity.
MedicinesComplement-inhibitor medicines can substantially increase susceptibility.
Exposure-related factorsSmoking, secondhand smoke exposure, or recent close contact with an infected person.
  • Young children may be at increased risk because of age-related differences in immunity.
  • Adolescents and young adults may have increased exposure through close-contact social or living settings.
  • Living in a dormitory or another crowded setting can increase opportunities for close contact.
  • Having no functioning spleen can make it harder for the body to clear certain bacteria.
  • Certain immune-system disorders or medicines can reduce protection against infection.
  • HIV infection may increase the risk of meningococcal disease.
  • Complement-inhibitor medicines can increase susceptibility to meningococcal infection.
  • Smoking or regular secondhand smoke exposure may increase risk.
  • Recent close contact with a person who has meningococcal disease can increase exposure risk.

Complications

Complications of Meningococcal Disease

Complications can occur even when treatment is started promptly because the infection may cause inflammation, blood-vessel injury, shock or tissue damage. The risk depends on how quickly treatment begins and how severely the infection affects the brain, blood and other organs.

  • Hearing loss may occur after meningococcal meningitis or severe infection.
  • Seizures may develop during the illness or afterward.
  • Memory or concentration problems can persist after recovery.
  • Balance or movement difficulties may affect daily activities.
  • Vision problems may result from inflammation or tissue injury.
  • Kidney failure can occur when severe infection affects organ function.
  • Scarring may develop after damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
  • Limb loss may be necessary when tissue is severely damaged by bloodstream infection.
  • Death can occur despite emergency treatment.

Treatment & Management

Treatment and Management

  • Immediate intravenous antibiotics are given when meningococcal disease is suspected.
  • Hospital or intensive-care support may be needed for severe infection or unstable vital signs.
  • Intravenous fluids and medicines may be used to treat shock and support blood pressure.
  • Medicines may be given to control seizures.
  • Breathing support may be needed if the infection affects breathing or consciousness.
  • Clinicians monitor and manage complications involving the brain, kidneys, circulation or other organs.

What close contacts may need after an exposure

Public-health or clinical teams may recommend preventive antibiotics and vaccination for eligible close contacts. People who recover may need hearing, neurological, physical or psychological follow-up to identify and manage lasting effects.

Prevention

Preventing Meningococcal Disease

Vaccination

Ask about meningococcal vaccines

Vaccination is the main prevention strategy. Recommendations depend on age, health conditions, travel plans, outbreak status and local public-health guidance, so ask a healthcare professional which meningococcal vaccines are appropriate.

  • Stay up to date with recommended meningococcal vaccines.
  • Avoid sharing drinks, utensils or other items that may carry saliva.
  • Avoid direct exposure to another person’s saliva.
  • Avoid tobacco smoke and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Take prescribed preventive antibiotics after a qualifying close-contact exposure.
  • Follow public-health advice during a meningococcal meningitis outbreak.

Outlook and Prognosis

Outlook and Prognosis

Early antibiotic treatment improves the chance of recovery, but meningococcal disease can worsen rapidly and remains potentially fatal. Some people recover fully, while others have lasting complications.

  • The speed at which antibiotics and supportive care begin influences the outlook.
  • The type and severity of infection, including meningitis or bloodstream infection, affects recovery.
  • Involvement of the brain, blood vessels or other organs can worsen the prognosis.
  • Age can influence the risk of severe illness and complications.
  • Underlying health conditions and immune-system function can affect recovery.

Some survivors need ongoing assessment and rehabilitation for hearing, neurological, physical, emotional or cognitive effects. Follow-up care can help identify these problems and connect patients with appropriate specialists and support.

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  • Meningococcal Disease

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