What are the main symptoms of meningococcal disease?
The early symptoms can closely resemble the flu. These symptoms may develop over a period of 1 to 2 days, but sometimes the disease can cause death in a matter of hours. Common symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, and sensitivity to light. A purplish red rash, mainly on the arms and legs, sometimes develops, especially as the disease advances. Although the best chance for survival is early diagnosis and treatment, it can be hard to make the diagnosis before the illness is more advanced.
