Meningococcal disease is a rare and serious illness that can result in death and disability.
There are two major types:
All forms of meningococcal disease are caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.
All forms of meningococcal disease require immediate treatment. The risk of death or disability with meningococcal disease is high and can occur quickly.
See a doctor right away if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease.
The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is through vaccination. Adolescents and immune-compromised people are particularly encouraged to receive the meningococcal vaccines.
The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease is spread through saliva or respiratory droplets. You are at risk if you have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease.
- Close contacts are at a much higher risk (500-800 times greater than the general population) of becoming infected.
- If you have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease, talk to your doctor about preventive antibiotic treatment and vaccination.
Close Contacts
You could be a close contact to someone with meningococcal disease if you and the case have been:
- Living in the same household
- Attending childcare in a center, classroom or group that shares space and items
- Coughed or sneezed on
- Kissing
- Sharing items that touch lips, mouth, or saliva like cups, water bottles, straws, eating utensils, cigarettes, vapes, lipstick, or toothbrushes
People at High Risk for Meningococcal Disease
Your risk of meningococcal disease can increase with certain risk factors, such as age or medical conditions.
High-risk age groups include:
- Children younger than 1 year old
- Teens and young adults aged 16-23 years
- Adults 65 years or older
High-risk medical conditions include persons with:
- Absence of a spleen
- Sickle cell anemia
- HIV
- Complement deficiency (rare)
People with high-risk medical conditions are recommended to receive a vaccine every five years.
Most people exposed to meningococcal disease do not become ill. However, some people become very ill, very quickly. If you are ill with meningococcal disease, you require immediate treatment. See a doctor right away if you have symptoms or have been in close contact (see above) with someone with meningococcal disease.
The symptoms for meningitis include:
- Stiff neck
- Sudden fever
- Headache
Additional symptoms can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Confusion
Symptoms in infants include:
- Slowness or inactivity
- Poor feeding
- Vomiting
- Bulging on the soft spot of the skull
Meningitis symptoms quickly become more severe and require immediate treatment. The risk of death or disability with meningococcal disease is high and can occur quickly.
See a doctor right away if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease.
The symptoms for meningococcal septicemia differ from meningitis symptoms and are more flu-like:
- Sudden fever
- Chills
- Severe aches and pains in muscles, joints, chest, or belly
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold hands and feet
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea
- (In later stages) a dark purple rash
Symptoms quickly become more severe and require immediate treatment. The risk of death or disability with meningococcal disease is high and can occur quickly.
See a doctor right away if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease.
Vaccines
The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is through vaccination. Adolescents and immune-compromised people are particularly encouraged to receive the meningococcal vaccines.
Preventive Antibiotic Treatment
If you have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease, talk to your doctor about preventive antibiotic treatment.
Good Hygiene
Meningococcal disease spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets, so maintaining good hygiene can help prevent infection.
Examples include:
- Hand washing
- Covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing
- Not sharing cups, water bottles, straws, eating utensils, cigarettes, vapes, lipstick, or toothbrushes
Your healthcare provider can perform lab tests (blood and cerebrospinal fluid) to identify meningitis bacteria.
All forms of meningococcal disease require immediate treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment should begin as soon as possible to reduce the chance of death and disability. Even with antibiotic treatment, 1 in 10 people with meningococcal disease may die. Up to 1 in 5 survivors will have long-term disabilities.
Possible long-term disabilities:
- Loss of limbs
- Deafness
- Nervous system problems
- Brain damage
Details about meningococcal disease treatment are available at the Meningococcal Disease for Healthcare Providers page.
Treatment of Northern Virginia Cases with Antibiotic Resistance (2022 Outbreak)
In Northern Virginia, recent meningococcal strains have been identified that are resistant to antibiotic treatment using ciprofloxacin and penicillin. Treatment for meningococcal disease in Northern Virginia should rely on alternate antibiotics, as described in current clinical guidance by the Virginia Department of Health.
Types of meningococcal vaccines:
- Meningococcal conjugate, also known as MenACWY (Menveo®, and MenQuadfi®)
- Serogroup B meningococcal, also known as MenB (Bexsero® and Trumenba®)
- Pentavalent meningococcal, also known as MenABCWY (Penbraya™)
These vaccines are named for the strains of meningococcal disease they protect against. “Men” is short for meningococcal. The letters following “Men” show which strains they protect against. Strains are also known as serogroups.
For example: The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal strains A, C, W, and Y, but not B.
Vaccine Schedule
- The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is required for students prior to 7th and 12th grade.
- A MenACWY booster is recommended every five years for people at high risk due to medical conditions.
- Arlington County Public Health Immunization Clinic offers meningococcal vaccine to children, adolescents, and adults.
- The Immunization Clinic is open by appointment only for adults and for childhood immunizations for Arlington County school entry requirements.
- For more information and to schedule an appointment call 703-228-1200.
For more information, visit these helpful websites:
Visit Arlington County Public Health Division's Meningococcal Disease for Healthcare Providers.