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Meningococcal Disease

Han Q. Bui, MPH, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Meningococcemia is a blood-borne infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

  • Bacteremia without meningitis: Patient is acutely ill and may have skin manifestations (rashes, petechiae,...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Symptoms 
  • Sudden onset of fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, myalgias, chills, rigor, and/or sore throat (nonsuppurative)

    • Pharyngitis may be mistaken for streptococcal disease (strep th...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

First Line

  • Antibiotics  (3)[A]

    • Begin treatment as soon as meningococcal meningitis is suspected.

    • Age guides empiric treatment.

      • Preterm to <1 month: ampicillin plus cefotaxime or amp...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

Educate family and close contacts regarding the risk of contracting meningococcal infection. 

PROGNOSIS

Overall mortality is 13%. Factors associated with poor prognosis inc...

REFERENCES

1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease: technical and clinical information. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/clinical-info.html. Accessed September 28, 2023.
2
De...

CODES

ICD10

  • A39.4 Meningococcemia, unspecified

  • A39.0 Meningococcal meningitis

  • A39.2 Acute meningococcemia

  • A39.9 Meningococcal infection, unspecified

  • A39.3 Chronic meningococcemia

  • A39.89 Other meningococcal ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Invasive meningococcal disease can be rapidly fatal. Rapid identification and early treatment with antibiotics is essential to promote good clinical outcomes. Treat then test in suspec...

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