- Albertville City School District
- Meningitis
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Meningococcal Disease
What is meningococcal diease?
- Meningococcal diease is any illness caused by the bacteria neisseria meningitidis.
- It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years of age in the U.S.
- It can be very serious, even life-threatening, in 48 hours or less.
- The two most severe and common illnesses caused by this bacteria include meningitis, an infection of the fluid and licing around the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia, a bloodstream infection.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of meningococcal diease are similar to the flu and may include:
- Sudden onset of a high fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Rash
- Confusion
- Severe aches and pain in the muscles, joints, chest or belly