[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/meningococcal-meningitis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/meningococcal-meningitis\/","headline":"Essential Facts About Meningococcal Meningitis","name":"Essential Facts About Meningococcal Meningitis","description":"What is meningococcal meningitis? Meningitis is a potentially deadly illness, especially for children and teens. Find out more.","datePublished":"2019-06-27","dateModified":"2019-08-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/meningitis_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/meningitis_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/meningococcal-meningitis\/","about":["Family Health","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":540,"keywords":["bacterial meningitis","infectious diseases","meningitis","meningococcal meningitis"],"articleBody":"You\u2019ve likely heard about meningitis outbreaks \u2014 especially when they occur on college campuses \u2014 but you may not be exactly sure what the disease is.Meningitis is an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Without proper treatment, it can be deadly.What Is Meningococcal Meningitis?There are three basic types of meningitis: fungal, viral, and bacterial.Fungal meningitis is rare and usually occurs in people with compromised immune systems.Viral meningitis is milder and often occurs with other illnesses, such as mumps, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and herpes simplex.Bacterial meningitis is the most serious form, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Meningococcal meningitis is one of the three most common types of bacterial meningitis.Meningococcal meningitis affects about 1,000 people in the United States every year. In children and teens, it is the most common type of bacterial meningitis.Meningococcal meningitis occurs when the bacteria that cause meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis, spread to the nervous system through the bloodstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in 10 people are carriers of the bacteria. The organism spreads through close, repeated contact with another person’s bodily fluids, usually by coughing, sneezing, or kissing.Meningococcal Meningitis SymptomsAct quickly if you or a loved one develop these symptoms of meningococcal meningitis:ConfusionDifficulty staying awakeHigh feverJoint painLack of appetiteNausea or vomitingRed or purplish rashSensitivity to bright lightSevere, sudden headacheStiff neckConstant crying (in babies)A bulge at the “soft spot” on top of the head (in babies)Risk FactorsSome people are more at risk to develop meningococcal meningitis than others. Risk factors include:Being younger than five years oldHaving a condition that causes a compromised immune system, such as HIVLiving in a group setting, such as a college dorm or military baseNot being vaccinated against meningitisTraveling to parts of the world, such as Africa, where meningococcal disease is commonWorking in a lab where you’re exposed to meningococcal bacteriaTreatment OptionsIf you or a loved one is showing symptoms of meningococcal meningitis, do not wait to seek treatment. Visit the emergency department or call 911 immediately. The hospital can perform a test to confirm the diagnosis and start to administer antibiotics.If you’re not ill but you’ve been exposed to someone diagnosed with meningitis, see a doctor. The CDC recommends taking an antibiotic as a precaution to prevent infection, which your doctor can prescribe.The best way to prevent meningococcal meningitis is by getting the vaccine, so talk to your pediatrician. Children should be vaccinated for meningitis at age 11 or 12, with a booster shot around age 16.Potential Complications of Meningococcal MeningitisMeningococcal meningitis symptoms should be taken seriously. The illness can be fatal or leave permanent damage. According to the CDC, 10 percent to\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a015 percent of those who contract meningococcal meningitis die. About 15 percent of those who survive are left with disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, limb loss, and kidney failure.To find out more about meningococcal meningitis and treatment, contact the UPMC Center of Care for Infectious Diseases. To schedule an appointment, call 412-647-7228 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Essential Facts About Meningococcal Meningitis","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/meningococcal-meningitis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]