Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is a severe, potentially deadly bacterial infection that can affect the brain, spinal cord, and bloodstream, but it can be prevented through vaccination.
Overview
Meningococcal disease is the name for any illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, also known as meningococcal bacteria. These illnesses are often severe and can sometimes be fatal. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis, and infections in the bloodstream, known as sepsis.
Causes & Risk Factors
Some individuals carry Neisseria meningitidis in the back of their nose and throat without becoming ill; these individuals are called "carriers." However, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body and cause disease. The bacteria spread from person to person through saliva, typically through close or lengthy contact such as kissing or coughing. Casual contact, such as breathing the same air as an infected person, does not transmit the bacteria.
Who is at higher risk?
While anyone can contract the disease, certain groups are more susceptible:
- Children younger than 1 year old.
- Teens and young adults ages 16 through 23 years old.
- Adults 65 years and older.
- People with immune-weakening conditions, such as HIV or rare immune system diseases.
- People who lack a spleen or have a spleen that does not function well.
- People taking complement inhibitors, which are immunotherapy medicines for certain rare conditions.
- People living in crowded settings, such as college dorms or military barracks.
- People traveling to areas where the disease is more common, such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Symptoms
Meningococcal disease is serious and can be deadly within hours. The most common types are meningitis and septicemia.
Meningococcal Meningitis
This is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and confusion. In newborns and babies, symptoms may be harder to identify and can include irritability, inactivity, poor feeding, vomiting, or a bulging soft spot on the skull.
Meningococcal Septicemia
Also called meningococcemia, this is an infection of the bloodstream. As bacteria multiply, they damage blood vessel walls, causing bleeding into the skin and organs. Symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Cold hands and feet
- Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or abdomen
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea
- A dark purple rash (in later stages)
Diagnosis
Because symptoms often mimic other illnesses, diagnosis can be challenging. Health care providers may order tests on blood or cerebrospinal fluid. These samples are sent to a lab for bacteria culture testing to identify the specific type of bacteria, which helps determine the best course of treatment.
Treatment & Management
Treatment must begin as soon as possible, often with antibiotics administered before test results are finalized. Patients with severe disease may require:
- Breathing support
- Medicines to treat low blood pressure
- Surgery to remove dead tissue
- Wound care for damaged skin
Even with treatment, 10 to 15 in 100 people will die from the disease. Survivors may face long-term disabilities, including loss of limbs, deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.
Prevention
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease. The CDC recommends vaccination for all preteens and teens, as well as children and adults at higher risk. If you are a close contact of someone with the disease, you may be prescribed antibiotics as prophylaxis to prevent infection. Note that it is possible, though rare, to contract meningococcal disease more than once.