Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease)

What is meningococcal disease?

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

How does meningococcal disease spread?

How can we prevent meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal Disease Activity and Surveillance

Fact Sheets

Vaccine Information

Vaccine Information Statements

Related Information

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a very serious illness caused by bacteria. Meningococcal disease can cause the covering of the brain and spinal cord to swell (meningitis) or cause blood infections (septicemia). Bacterial meningitis is serious and can lead to death quickly.

There are groups of people are at higher risk of developing meningococcal disease. These groups include Infants and young children, Adolescents and young adults, People with weakened immune systems, people who travel areas where meningococcal disease is common, and those living in crowded conditions. Along with those at higher risk for disease, there are five types (serogroups) of meningococcal bacteria that cause most meningococcal disease worldwide: A, B, C, W, and Y. Serogroups B, C, and Y cause most of the illness seen in the United States. Vaccination is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease. There are vaccines to protect against all five of these strains.

Viral meningitis is different than meningococcal disease. While it causes the covering of the brain and spinal cord to swell, viral meningitis is caused by other viral illnesses such as herpes simplex, chickenpox, and enterovirus. Viral meningitis is more common than meningococcal disease and is not usually life-threatening

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

If a person has symptoms of meningococcal disease, they usually appear anywhere from 3 to 4 days after exposure. Symptoms of meningitis from meningococcal disease include:

Sudden onset of fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Nausea
Vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Confusion

Symptoms of a blood infection from meningococcal disease include:

Fever
Fatigue
Vomiting
Severe aches or pain
Rapid breathing
Diarrhea
Cold chills
A dark purple rash on the legs and arms

Newborns and babies show different symptoms for meningococcal disease. For example, infants may:

Be slow or inactive
Vomit
Feed poorly

Doctors can also check a baby or child’s reflexes to help diagnose meningitis.

How does meningococcal disease spread?

Meningococcal disease can spread in different ways depending on the type of bacteria. Most commonly, it is spread through coughing or sneezing or contact with saliva. It can also spread through contaminated food or when a parent gives birth to their child.

Certain people are more at risk for meningococcal disease, including infants, teens and college students, adults 65 years of age and older, those who travel outside the states, and people with certain medical conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

How can we prevent meningococcal disease?

Vaccination is the best prevention for meningococcal disease. If you have had meningitis before, it does not protect you from future exposure. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis types A,C, W and Y. It is recommended for 11 to 12 year olds with a booster dose at 16. You may also receive this if you travel abroad or may be at higher risk.

Meningococcal B vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis type B. This vaccine is given to people 10 years or older who have certain medical conditions or may be more at risk for meningococcal disease type B. Check out our meningococcal vaccine web page for more information.

You should not share anything by mouth with an infected person. This includes kissing or sharing items like straws, silverware, lip balm, or toothbrushes. Because some people can transmit meningococcal disease without symptoms, people should avoid sharing items touched by the mouth whenever possible.

If someone around you has meningococcal disease, you may receive preventative antibiotics to avoid getting sick. Healthcare providers and health departments will decide if this is appropriate for you. If you suspect you have meningitis, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Meningococcal Disease Activity and Surveillance

Visit the Meningococcal Notifiable Conditions page for a summary of meningococcal disease reporting and testing resources for health care professionals.

Visit the Meningococcal Disease Surveillance and Trends webpage from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see meningococcal disease cases reported in the United States.