Meningococcal Infections

Summary

Meningococci are a type of bacteria that cause serious infections. The most common infection is meningitis, which is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningococci can also cause other problems, including a serious bloodstream infection called sepsis.

Meningococcal infections can spread from person to person. Risk factors include:

• Age – it is more common in infants, teens, and young adults
• Living in close quarters, such as in college dorms or military settings
• Certain medical conditions, such as not having a spleen
• Travel to areas where meningococcal disease is common

In its early stages, you may have flu-like symptoms and a stiff neck. But the disease can progress quickly and can be fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. Lab tests on your blood and cerebrospinal fluid can tell if you have it. Treatment is with antibiotics. Since the infection spreads from person to person, family members may also need to be treated.

A vaccine can prevent meningococcal infections.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Bacteria Culture Test National Library of Medicine
• Meningococcal Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Complications Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture) Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningococcal Infections National Institutes of Health

Encyclopedia

• Meningitis – meningococcal Medical Encyclopedia

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine: What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Preventing Meningococcal Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Safety Information for Meningococcal Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

• Meningococcal Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Women

• Meningococcal Disease (Bacterial Meningitis) Vaccine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists

Related Issues

• Meningococcal Disease: Causes and How It Spreads Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Travelers’ Health: Meningococcal Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Teenagers

• Meningococcal Disease: Information for Teens and College Students American Academy of Pediatrics

Symptoms

• Meningococcal Disease: Signs and Symptoms Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Images

• Meningococcal Photos Immunization Action Coalition

Children

• Meningococcal Vaccine (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Meningococcal Vaccines: What You Need to Know American Academy of Pediatrics

Patient Handouts

• Meningococcemia Medical Encyclopedia
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Meningococcal Infections