Skip to main content

Meningococcal Disease

Han Q. Bui, MPH, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


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  (5)[A]

    • Begin treatment as soon as meningococcal meningitis is suspected.

    • Age guides empiric treatment.

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 November 25, 2020.
2
Deg...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Visintin  C, Mugglestone  MA, Fields  EJ, et al; for Guideline Development Group, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Management of bac...

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...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×