What is meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis is a severe infection of the bloodstream and meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It is a relatively rare disease and usually occurs as a single isolated event. Clusters of cases or outbreaks are rare in the United States. Who gets meningococcal meningitis? Anyone can get meningococcal meningitis, but it is more common in infants and children. How is the bacteria that causes this type of meningitis spread? The meningococcus bacteria is spread by direct close contact with nose or throat discharges of an infected person. Many people carry this particular bacteria in their nose and throat without any signs of illness, while others may develop serious symptoms. What are the symptoms? Although most people exposed to the meningococcus bacteria do not become seriously ill, some may develop fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and a rash. The disease is occasionally fatal. How soon do the sympt
Meningococcal group B and meningococcal group C are two types of bacteria that cause many cases of meningitis and septicaemia in the UK. Although meningococcal group B meningitis is the commonest, meningococcal group C meningitis causes more deaths. These bacteria can cause either meningitis or septicaemia, or both at once. There is a new vaccine for group C meningitis (‘meningitis C vaccine’) but (in 2005) there is no effective vaccine for meningococcal group B meningitis.
