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