Meningitis - meningococcal: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.
P Bacteria are one type of germ that can cause meningitis. The meningococcal bacteria is one kind of bacteria that causes meningitis.

T Causes
P Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus).
P Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and teens. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
P The infection occurs more often in winter or spring. It may cause local epidemics at boarding schools, college dormitories, or military bases.
P Risk factors include recent exposure to someone with meningococcal meningitis and a recent upper respiratory infection.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms usually come on quickly, and may include:
- Fever and chills
- Mental status changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Purple, bruise-like areas (purpura)
- Rash, pinpoint red spots (petechiae)
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck 
P Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
- Agitation
- Bulging fontanelles in infants
- Decreased consciousness
- Poor feeding or irritability in children
- Rapid breathing
- Unusual posture with the head and neck arched backwards (opisthotonus)

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Questions will focus on symptoms and possible exposure to someone who might have the same symptoms, such as a stiff neck and fever.
P If the provider thinks meningitis is possible, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will likely be done to remove a sample of spinal fluid for testing.
P Other tests that may be done include:
- Blood culture
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of the head
- White blood cell (WBC) count
- Gram stain, other special stains

T Treatment
P Antibiotics will be started as soon as possible.
- Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics.
- Penicillin in high doses is almost always effective.
- If there is an allergy to penicillin, chloramphenicol may be used.
P Sometimes, corticosteroids are given to children.
P People in close contact with someone who has meningococcal meningitis should be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
P Such people include:
- Household members
- Roommates in dormitories
- Those who come into close and long-term contact with an infected person

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Early treatment improves the outcome. Death is possible. Young children and adults over age 50 have the highest risk of death.

T Possible Complications
P Long-term complications may include:
- Brain damage
- Hearing loss
- Hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to brain swelling)
- Buildup of fluid between the skull and brain (subdural effusion)
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Seizures

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call 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:
- Feeding difficulties
- High-pitched cry
- Irritability
- Persistent unexplained fever
P Call the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.

T Prevention
P 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 person is diagnosed. All family and close contacts of this person should begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread of the infection. Ask your provider about this during the first visit.
P Always use good hygiene habits, such as washing hands before and after changing a diaper or after using the bathroom.
P Vaccines for meningococcus are effective for controlling spread. They are currently recommended for:
- Adolescents
- College students in their first year living in dormitories
- Military recruits
- Travelers to certain parts of the world

T Alternative Names
P Meningococcal meningitis; Gram negative - meningococcus

T Images
- Meningococcal lesions on the back

T References
P Pollard AJ, Sadarangani M. Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 191.
P Stephens DS, Apicella MA. Neisseria meningitidis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 213.

T Review Date 7/31/2016
P Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

