Meningococcal Meningitis

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Every year in the United States, nearly 300 people die of meningococcal meningitis and many more experience serious complications from this disease.

Another 700 people develop pneumococcal meningitis. In both cases, most of those affected are children under the age of 5.

What is Meningococcal Meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most often caused by bacteria or viruses. Bacterial meningitis is usually much more serious than viral meningitis. Most cases of meningitis occur when bacteria from an infection in another part of your body travel through your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. But bacteria can also spread directly to your brain or spine from a severe head injury or from an infection in your ear, nose or teeth.

Some types of meningitis are contagious. You may be exposed to the bacteria when someone with meningitis coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also spread through kissing or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. You're also at increased risk if you live or work with someone with the disease.

Meningitis strikes suddenly, usually with a high fever, severe headache and vomiting. As the disease progresses, the brain swells and may begin to bleed. Meningitis is fatal in about 10 percent of cases. Unfortunately, many of those who survive an attack may have serious long-term neurologic complications, such as deafness, blindness, speech loss or brain damage.

Seventy percent of meningitis cases occur in children under age 5, but the incidence of the disease is increasing among young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Older adults also tend to have a high incidence of meningitis.

Meningitis is a medical emergency. How well you recover depends on how quickly you receive treatment. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has symptoms of meningitis, seek medical care right away.