Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that results in swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
See also:
Aseptic meningitis Meningitis Meningitis - cryptococcal Meningitis - Gram-negative Meningitis - H. influenzae Meningitis - pneumococcal Meningitis - staphylococcal Meningitis - tuberculous
Alternative Names
Meningococcal meningitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus).
Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children and adolescents. Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
The infection occurs more often in winter or spring. It may cause local epidemics at boarding schools, college dormitories, or military bases.
Risk factors include recent exposure to meningococcal meningitis and a recent upper respiratory infection.
Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in
Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division
of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
