Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. Learn about prevention, symptoms, and treatment below.
Anyone can get meningococcal disease. However, infants, children, young adults, people living in close quarters (such as college campuses), individuals with certain medical conditions or without a spleen, and travelers to high-risk areas are at increased risk. Vaccines are available and recommended based on age and risk factors to help prevent severe disease.
Residents are encouraged to contact their health care provider or visit a local pharmacy to find an accessible vaccine clinic. Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status.
-
-
Have questions or want to connect?
-
1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
Prevention
The best way to prevent meningococcal disease is to get vaccinated. There are vaccines that help protect against the most common Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all adolescents receive the meningococcal ACWY vaccine with a first dose at 11–12 years of age and a booster at 16 years. The meningococcal B vaccine is recommended for certain individuals at increased risk and may also be given to adolescents and young adults ages 16–23 years (preferably at 16–18 years).
People at higher risk include:
- those living in close quarters such as college residence halls,
- individuals without a spleen or with certain medical conditions,
- microbiologists exposed to the bacteria,
- and travelers to high-risk areas.
Talk with your health care provider to determine if you need the vaccine.
Symptoms
Meningococcal infection can cause meningitis and spreads through close contact through respiratory or throat secretions, not casual contact. If exposed, contact your healthcare provider about preventive medication.
Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, and often other signs such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash (petechial)
- Photophobia (increased sensitivity to light)
- Altered mental status (confusion)
The symptoms of meningococcal meningitis can appear quickly or over several hours or days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure, but can occur as long as 10 days after exposure.
Newborns and infants may not have fever, headache, and neck stiffness. The infant may appear to be slow or inactive, irritable, vomiting or feeding poorly. If your infant appears ill, you should contact the child's health care provider.
If you suspect meningococcal disease, talk to your health care provider immediately. Your health care provider will determine if you need a test for meningococcal disease. They collect samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid and send it to a laboratory for testing. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Treatment
Meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment must start as soon as possible because early treatment helps lower the risk of serious illness or death.
Even with treatment, about 15 out of every 100 people who recover from meningococcal meningitis have long-term problems. These problems can include loss of an arm or leg, hearing loss, or problems with the nervous system. This is why it is important to get medical help right away if symptoms appear. People who have been in close contact with someone with meningococcal disease may also be given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to help prevent infection and stop the disease from spreading.
Meningococcal disease must be reported to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are a provider or have questions, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website or call 617-983-6800 for reporting.
-
-
Have questions or want to connect?
-
1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
