Meningococcal Disease (Invasive)

Neisseria meningitidis

Meningococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. N. meningitidis are bacteria that can live in the back of the nose and throat. If the bacteria move to a normally sterile site in the body, such as blood or spinal fluid, it’s considered invasive meningococcal disease.

The two most common types of infections are:

Meningitis, when the bacteria infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord and cause swelling
Bloodstream infections, when the bacteria enter the blood and damage the walls of the blood vessels, causing bleeding in the skin and organs

Meningococcal disease is usually severe. About 10-15 in 100 people with meningococcal disease will die from this infection, and 1 in 5 survivors will have long-term disabilities.

At-Risk Populations

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but certain factors increase someone’s risk.

Infants, teens, young adults, and older adults have the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the United States.
College students are at increased risk for meningococcal disease compared to other teens and young adults.
Certain medical conditions and medicines that weaken the immune system also increase someone’s risk for meningococcal disease.

Learn more about meningococcal disease risk factors from the CDC

Symptoms

Meningococcal disease is serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours. Symptoms can first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen. Seek medical attention immediately for symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Symptoms appear 1-10 days after exposure, but usually within 3-4 days, and may include:

Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Rash
Body aches/joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Increased sensitivity to light
Confusion

How It Spreads

Meningococcal disease spreads person to person through direct close contact with the respiratory and throat secretions of someone with the bacteria. Generally, it takes close or lengthy contact to spread N. meningitidis, such as kissing, sharing eating utensils, and living together. To limit the spread of illness, you should avoid sharing cups, cosmetics, toothbrushes, smoking materials, or anything that touches your mouth.

Prevention

Vaccination

The most effective way to protect against meningococcal disease is to complete the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule.

People are vaccinated against most strains (A, C, W, Y) of N. meningitidis when they’re adolescents, but serogroup B (also called meningococcal B) is not included in that routine vaccine. A separate vaccine is recommended for healthy adolescents and young adults age 16-23, preferably age 16-18, through shared-clinical decision making. It’s also routinely recommended for those age 10 and older with specific high-risk conditions or during serogroup B outbreaks.

Learn more about available meningococcal vaccination

Preventative Medication for Close Contacts of Meningococcal Disease Patients

A doctor or public health official may recommend antibiotics for close contacts of people with meningococcal disease. Examples of close contacts include students who live in the same dorm or people who live in the same household, or anyone who has kissed, shared eating utensils or food, drinks, or cigarettes with the patient.

Testing & Diagnosis

Healthcare professionals who suspect meningococcal disease will collect samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid and send them to the lab for testing.

Learn more about meningococcal disease testing and diagnosis from the CDC

Treatment

Patients with meningococcal disease are treated with antibiotics. A patient will get antibiotics right away if a healthcare professional suspects meningococcal disease. In more serious cases of meningococcal disease, patients may need other treatments.