Warning! Your browser is extremely outdated and not web standards compliant.
Your browsing experience would greatly improve by upgrading to a modern browser.
BACK
TO
TOP
Facebook sharingTwitter sharing
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks Save as Bookmark
bookmarks-menu

Meningococcemia

Meningococcal septicemia; Meningococcal blood poisoning; Meningococcal bacteremia

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.

Causes

Meningococcemia is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria often live in a person's upper respiratory tract without causing signs of illness. They can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. For example, you may become infected if you are around someone with the condition and they sneeze or cough.

Family members and those closely exposed to someone with the condition are at increased risk. The infection occurs more often in winter and early spring.

Symptoms

Some of the initial symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
  • Rash with very small red or purple spots on the feet or legs

Later symptoms may include:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms.

Blood tests will be done to check for other infections and help confirm meningococcemia. Such tests may include:

Other tests that may be done include:

Treatment

Meningococcemia is a medical emergency. People with this infection are often admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, where they are closely monitored. They may be placed in respiratory isolation for the first 24 hours to help prevent the spread of the infection to others.

Treatments may include:

  • Antibiotics given through a vein immediately
  • Breathing support
  • Clotting factors or platelet replacement, if bleeding disorders develop
  • Fluids through a vein
  • Medicines to treat low blood pressure
  • Wound care for areas of skin with blood clots

Outlook (Prognosis)

Early treatment results in a good outcome. When shock develops, the outcome is less certain.

The condition is most life threatening in those who develop:

Possible Complications

Possible complications of this infection are:

  • Arthritis
  • Bleeding disorder (DIC)
  • Gangrene due to lack of blood supply
  • Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin
  • Inflammation of the heart muscle
  • Inflammation of the heart lining
  • Shock
  • Severe damage to the adrenal glands that can lead to low blood pressure (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Go to the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms of meningococcemia. Contact your provider if you have been around someone with the disease.

Prevention

Preventive antibiotics for family members and other close contacts are often recommended. Contact your provider about this option.

A vaccine that covers some, but not all, strains of meningococcus is recommended for children age 11 or 12. A booster is given at age 16. Unvaccinated college students who live in dormitories should also consider receiving this vaccine. It should be given a few weeks before they first move into the dorm. Talk to your provider about this vaccine.

Open References

References

Marquez L. Meningococcal disease. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 88.

Stephens DS, Apicella MA. Neisseria meningitidis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 211.

Stephens DS. Neisseria meningitidis infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 274.

  • Bacteria

    Bacteria - illustration

    Bacterial infections can lead to the formation of pus, or to the spread of the bacteria in the blood.

    Bacteria

    illustration

  • Circulatory system

    Circulatory system - illustration

    Blood used by the body is brought back to the heart and lungs by the veins of the body. Once the blood has gathered more oxygen from the lungs, it is pumped back out to the body through the arteries.

    Circulatory system

    illustration

  • Upper respiratory tract

    Upper respiratory tract - illustration

    The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.

    Upper respiratory tract

    illustration

    • Bacteria

      Bacteria - illustration

      Bacterial infections can lead to the formation of pus, or to the spread of the bacteria in the blood.

      Bacteria

      illustration

    • Circulatory system

      Circulatory system - illustration

      Blood used by the body is brought back to the heart and lungs by the veins of the body. Once the blood has gathered more oxygen from the lungs, it is pumped back out to the body through the arteries.

      Circulatory system

      illustration

    • Upper respiratory tract

      Upper respiratory tract - illustration

      The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.

      Upper respiratory tract

      illustration

     

    Review Date: 11/10/2024

    Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
    © 1997- adam.com All rights reserved.

     
     
     

     

     

    A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
    Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.