Why do only some people get sick with meningococcal disease?
Meningococci bacteria are often present in many people without causing disease, but on rare occasions they penetrate the defences of the lining of the throat to cause an invasive life-threatening illness. The reasons why this occurs in one person and not another is not known.Invasive disease is more common in infants and young people, and appears to occur in the first few days of exposure of a susceptible person, after which immunity develops. In children the illness may be very non-specific, however it can quickly become life threatening. This is why it is most important to recognise the early signs of meningococcal disease and to take appropriate action.
