Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that causes swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
See also:
Meningococcal meningitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMeningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus).
Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children. Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
The infection occurs more often in winter or spring. It may cause local epidemics at boarding schools, college dormitories, or military bases.
Risk factors include recent exposure to meningococcal meningitis and a recent upper respiratory infection.
SymptomsThe disease may come on quickly, and may start with an upper respiratory infection or sore throat.
Symptoms include:
Physical examination will show:
For any patient with meningitis, it is important to perform a lumbar puncture ("spinal tap"), in which spinal fluid (known as cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) is collected for testing.
Tests may include:
Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone are prescribed and given through the arm by IV (intravenous line). Other medicines may be used to treat the complications from increased spinal fluid pressure.
Sometimes steroid medication is used, more often in children than adults.
People in close contact with someone with meningococcal meningitis should be given antibiotics to prevent infection. Such people include:
Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important to prevent serious illness or death. The Death Rate ranges from 5% - 15%. Young children and adults over 50 have the highest risk of death.
ComplicationsGo to an emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if:
Meningitis can quickly become life-threatening.
PreventionAll family and close contacts (especially in health care or school settings) of people with this type of meningitis should begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread of the infection. Ask your health care provider about this during the first visit.
Close contacts in the same household, school, or day care center should be watched for early signs of the disease as soon as the first case is diagnosed. Always use good hygiene habits, such as washing hands before and after changing a diaper, or after using the bathroom.
Vaccines are effective for controlling epidemics. They are currently recommended for:
Swartz MN. Meningitis: bacterial, viral, and other. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 437.
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that results in swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
See also:
Meningococcal meningitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMeningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus).
Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children and adolescents. Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
The infection occurs more often in winter or spring. It may cause local epidemics at boarding schools, college dormitories, or military bases.
Risk factors include recent exposure to meningococcal meningitis and a recent upper respiratory infection.
SymptomsSymptoms usually come on quickly, and may include:
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
Physical examination will show:
For any patient who is suspected of having meningitis, it is important to perform a lumbar puncture ("spinal tap"), in which spinal fluid (known as cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) is collected for testing.
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment with antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics for meningococcal meningitis. Penicillin in high doses is almost always effective, too.
If the antibiotic is not working and the health care provider suspects antibiotic resistance, chloramphenicol may be used. Sometimes corticosteroids may be used, especially in children.
People in close contact with someone who has meningococcal meningitis should be given antibiotics to prevent infection. Such people include:
Early treatment improves the outcome. The death rate ranges from 5% - 15%. Young children and adults over 50 have the highest risk of death.
ComplicationsCall the local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms:
Call the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.
PreventionAll family and close contacts (especially in health care or school settings) of people with this type of meningitis should begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread of the infection. Ask your health care provider about this during the first visit.
Close contacts in the same household, school, or day care center should be watched for early signs of the disease as soon as the first case is diagnosed. Always use good hygiene habits, such as washing hands before and after changing a diaper, or after using the bathroom.
Vaccines are effective for controlling epidemics. They are currently recommended for:
Swartz MN. Meningitis: bacterial, viral, and other. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 437.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
because it does
Meningococcal meningitis is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream and meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord).
Meningococcal diplodocus is a gram negative bacteria. Meningococcal diplodocus can cause septicemia, meningitis or both, these infections can be present with conjunctivitis, arthritis, and a combination of other symptoms.
Meningococcus is another name for Neisserra meningitidis. It causes meningitis and septicaemia, hence the name "meningo" and is a gram negative coccus, hence "coccus."Meningococcal meningitis is therefore meningitis caused by this organism; similarly with meningococcal septicaemia.
In particular, these have occurred when a child in a crowded day-care situation or a military recruit in a crowded training camp has fallen ill with meningococcal meningitis.
Yes, the vaccination doesn't provide 100% protection.
Meningococcal is a word used for Meningococcal Meningitis. This is a very serious infection that can be either bacterial or viral. It causes damage to the brain and spinal cord by causing it to become inflamed and if left untreated it can cause death.
Preventive treatment with antibiotics is sometimes recommended for the close contacts of an individual who is ill with meningococcal or H. influenzae type b meningitis.
Neisseria meningitides is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. It is used the evaluate and detect a suspected meningococcal disease.
A Meningo vaccine is a vaccine against the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis (Meningococcus). One of the main causative organisms of Meningitis and Meningococcal Septicaemia.
Patients who have had their spleens removed, or whose spleens are no longer functional (as in the case of patients with sickle cell disease ) are more susceptible to other infections, including meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis.
Meningococcal meningitis patients should be placed on droplet precautions (private room, mask for all entering the room) until they have completed 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Negative pressure ventilation is not required. Patients with pneumococcal or viral meningitis do not require isolation.