Meningitis - meningococcal

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Meningococcal lesions on the back

Meningitis - meningococcal

Alternative Names:

Meningococcal meningitis
Treatment:

Early recognition and treatment of anyone exposed to meningococcus is extremely important to prevent serious illness or death.

Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone are prescribed and given intravenously for this disease. Other medicines may be used to treat the complications arising from the increased spinal fluid pressure.

Sometimes steroid medication is used, more often in children than adults.

Expectations (prognosis):

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The death rate ranges from 5% to 15%, with young children and adults over 50 having the highest risk of death.

Complications:

Brain damage
Shock
Increased spinal fluid pressure
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
Hydrocephalus (blockage of spinal fluid in brain)
Deafness
Paralysis of various muscles
Mental retardation

Calling your health care provider:

Go to an emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you notice symptoms of meningitis, if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if you think you have been exposed to someone with meningitis. Meningitis can quickly become life-threatening.