Meningococcal disease

It has a high mortality rate if untreated but is vaccine-preventable. While best known as a cause of meningitis, it can also result in sepsis, which is an even more damaging and dangerous condition. These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly.

They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord ( meningitis ) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). Meningococcal meningitis is characterized by sudden onset of headache, fever, and stiffness of the neck, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or altered mental status.

Meningococcal Disease Meningococcal (muh-nin-jo-cok-ul) disease is a serious bacterial illness that can lead to severe swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or infection of the bloodstream (meningococcemia). There are two major types of meningococcal disease : Meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia. What is meningococcal disease ? It can lead to serious blood infections. When the linings of the brain and spinal cord become infecte it is called meningitis. The disease strikes quickly and can have serious complications, including death.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. A delay of even hours can be fatal.

There are several deaths from meningococcal disease every year in New Zealand and even more during epidemics. It causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. Each year, approximately 0people in the U. Other articles from webmd.

In Australia there are main strains of the disease , all of which now have vaccinations available from your doctor. How does one catch meningitis? Can adults receive Menactra? In the case of meningitis, bacteria attack the lining between the brain and skull called the meninges. Infected fluid from the meninges then passes into the spinal cor causing symptoms including stiff neck, fever and rashes.

Quick medical attention is extremely important if meningococcal disease is suspected. The symptoms of meningococcal disease can vary based on the type of illness that develops. Invasive disease can present as an infection around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), a blood stream infection (meningococcemia), or both.

It occurs commonly in two forms: inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord ( meningococcal meningitis) or a severe blood infection (meningococcemia). It is carried in the nose, where it can remain for long periods without producing symptoms. Neisseria meningitidis can infect the meninges, a thin layer of tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord.

Bloodstream infection (meningococcemia) causes fever and often shock, as well as a rash or bruise-like skin lesions. A case may have both syndromes.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening. MenB causes the majority of the disease in the UK. Around of the population carries meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats at any given time. Meningococcal disease often occurs without warning – even among people who are otherwise healthy.

It usually occurs in one of two forms: inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord ( meningococcal meningitis) or a severe blood stream infection (meningococcemia). A suspected or confirmed case of meningococcal invasive disease triggers an investigation by personnel at the state and county health departments. It has also been reported to be transmitted through oral sex and cause urethritis in men.