What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
The most common symptoms are high fever, chills, lethargy, and a rash. If meningitis is present, the symptoms will also include headache and neck stiffness (which may not be present in infants). Seizures may also occur. In overwhelming meningococcal infections, shock, coma, and death can follow within several hours, even with appropriate medical treatment. How serious is meningococcal disease? Meningogoccal disease is serious. About 10% 15% of persons with meningococcal disease die. Of those who recover, 10% 15% suffer from permanent hearing loss, limb loss, brain damage, or other serious after-effects. How is meningococcal disease diagnosed? The diagnosis is made by taking samples of blood and spinal fluid from a person who is possibly infected. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, where a needle is inserted into the lower back. Any bacteria found in the blood or spinal fluid is grown in a medical laboratory and identified. Meningococcal disease is relatively rare
