What is meningococcus?
The bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, primarily targets children under 1 year of age. Because meningococcus is contagious, outbreaks can occur in childcare centers and schools. Cases also occur in high schools and on college campuses. Meningococcus usually causes meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) or sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream). Symptoms of meningitis include stiff neck, headache, fever and drowsiness. Symptoms of sepsis caused by meningococcus include fever, shock and coma. The disease is so unbelievably rapid, that a child can be perfectly well and, in a matter of only a few hours, be in a coma. For these reasons, meningococcal infections that occur in childcare centers, elementary schools or high schools often cause panic in the community. Every year about 2,500 people in the United States are infected with meningococcus and 300 die. Also, approximately 400 people every year who survive infection have permanent disabilities such as seizures, loss of l
Related Questions
- Why has BD decided to offer individual meningococcus reagents for Groups A and Y, B, and C and W135 rather than one N. meningitidis Polyvalent reagent?
- I heard that there is a new meningococcus vaccine, but my son just got the old one a year ago. Should he get the new one?
- How is the meningococcus germ spread?
