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Signs of Meningococcal

Meningococcal disease is the bacterial form of meningitis, a disease that causes swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord by infecting the blood stream. Early diagnosis of this deadly disease is important for survival. Consult a doctor immediately if symptoms occur. While viral meningitis is rarely fatal, bacterial meningitis such as meningococcal is extremely deadly.

  1. Symptoms in Infants

    • The symptoms of meningococcal disease typically appear within 2 to 10 days of exposure. Symptoms differ from infants and adults. Common symptoms in infants include fever, irritability, poor eating and hard to awaken. Infants are difficult to diagnose due to their inability to communicate as well as the symptoms of meningococcal are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu.

    Symptoms in Adults

    • Common symptoms in older children and adults include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness or trouble waking up, confusion, nausea or vomiting and lack of appetite.

      Anyone can get it, however adolescents and young adults are at a higher risk due to large amounts of time spent in dorms or close quarters with many people in areas such as school. These two age groups account for 15 percent of all diagnosed cases and one in seven cases result in death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Symptoms and Treatment

    • A typical meningococcal fever will rise to over 103 degrees, accompanied with a headache and sensitivity to bright light and sound. The stiff neck only occurs in 40 percent of meningococcal cases.

      To treat meningococcal, antibiotics such as penicillin G or cetriaxone may be administered by a doctor. In spite of antibiotics being administered, 10 to 15 percent of people still die from the disease, according to the CDC.

    Symptoms Leading to Diagnosis

    • The symptoms of meningococcal are not uncommon for other illnesses. However, quick diagnosis for survival is so key that many doctors will order the diagnoses tests immediately if the patient features almost all of the symptoms.

      The diagnoses is typically made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is retrieved by performing a spinal tap, which is when a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal can be collected.

      Doctors need the sample to identify the bacteria and prescribe the right antibiotics.

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