Meningococcal Infections

Also known as: meningococcal disease, meningococcal meningitis, meningococcal sepsis.

What are meningococcal infections?

Meningococci are a form of bacteria that can cause severe infections in the human body. They are responsible for sepsis that impacts the bloodstream and infection of the brain linings referred to as meningitis.

What causes meningococcal infections?

Meningococci are the bacteria That cause meningococcal infections. They can be spread from person to person through close contact with saliva and respiratory secretions.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal infections?

Early symptoms of meningococcal infections include a stiff neck, headache, fever, vomiting, light sensitivity and confusion. Over time, the meningococcal infections can lead to brain swelling or internal bleeding and cause severe and dangerous complications.

What are meningococcal infection care options?

Early detection and treatment is very important with meningococcal infections. The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if detected early. For this infection hospitalization and intensive care treatment is required to tend to the symptoms and complications of the disease.

Reviewed by: Otto M Ramos, MD

This page was last updated on: July 22, 2022 04:21 PM