What is Meningococcal Meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a type of contagious bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and the brain. It can result in a number of symptoms, including headaches, fever, nausea, and skin rashes. Without treatment, meningococcal meningitis is often fatal. Doctors usually treat the infection by administering intravenous antibacterial medications and carefully monitoring the patient's health to prevent serious complications, such as shock and permanent brain damage. Most individuals who seek immediate care for meningitis are able to make full recoveries.

The bacterium responsible for meningococcal meningitis is called Neisseria meningitidis. It is a very common, usually benign bacterium that is found in most peoples' mouths, throats, and sinuses. Rarely, individual bacteria will mutate and spontaneously disrupt immune system functioning. The bacteria spread and multiply across the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges, causing the tissue to become inflamed and swollen. Individuals with developing or weaker-than-normal immune systems are at the highest risk of contracting meningitis, including infants, children under the age of 18, and people over 65.

A person who is infected with meningococcal meningitis is likely to feel weak and nauseous. He or she might also experience severe headaches, body aches, vomiting, sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. In addition, some people develop sensitivity to light and loss of appetite. In later stages, a person might experience seizures, shock, coma, or extremely high blood pressure. Meningococcal meningitis can be life-threatening if treatment is not administered quickly and accurately.

When it is suspected that an individual has meningococcal meningitis, he or she is usually admitted into a hospital immediately. Doctors monitor symptoms and extract a sample of spinal fluid to reach a diagnosis. Since several different types of bacteria can lead to meningitis, it is necessary for specialists to conduct several laboratory tests to confirm the presence of Neisseria meningitidis. Patients generally receive several rounds of intravenous antibiotic fluids over the course of about one week to treat the infection.

Infections can spread via saliva and other bodily fluids, and people most often contract the bacteria through kissing, sharing silverware, or being sneezed on by the infected person. Close friends and family members of a person with meningococcal meningitis are often prescribed oral antibiotics to help prevent the spread of the dangerous bacteria. Vaccines exist in many parts of the world that can help prevent epidemics of of meningitis, but unfortunately, few vaccines have proven effective against the meningococcal type.