Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria are normally found in the nose and throat of 5 – 10% of healthy persons. Rarely, the bacteria enter areas of the body where bacteria are not normally found and cause a severe, life-threatening infection (“invasive disease”). Examples of the disease include meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infections.
Young infants, students attending high school or college, and military recruits are more likely to get the disease. People with a weakened immune system are also at higher risk for the disease, as well as those who live in crowded settings or have household exposure to cigarette smoke.
Symptoms include:
- Fever (sudden onset)
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Skin rash that appears as bruising or bleeding under the skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Eyes that are sensitive to light
In babies, the symptoms are more difficult to identify but may include:
- Fever
- Fretfulness or irritability
- Poor appetite
- Difficulty waking
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider may collect blood or spinal fluid to see if meningococcal bacteria are present.
Treatment
The disease is treated with several different types of antibiotics. It is important to seek medical attention immediately, as an infected person may become very sick within a few hours. Early treatment may reduce the risk of complications or death from the disease. Taking appropriate antibiotics for 24 hours reduces a person’s likelihood of spreading the bacteria.
The germs that cause meningococcal disease are spread from person to person only through direct contact with saliva or droplets from an infected person’s nose or throat. Some common ways the germs can be spread are:
- Living in the same household
- Kissing on the lips
- Sharing drinks from the same container (glasses, cups, water bottles)
- Sharing eating utensils (forks and spoons)
- Sharing a toothbrush, cigarettes, or lipstick
People who have had close contact with someone with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.
Good hygiene can prevent the spread of germs that cause meningococcal disease. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, throw away used tissues, and wash your hands often. Do not share eating or drinking utensils or other items placed in or near the mouth, such as lipstick or toothbrushes, with others. There are vaccines in the U.S. that protect against most types of this disease. See your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you. A dose of meningococcal vaccine is recommended for children 11 or 12 years of age with a booster at 16 years of age. The vaccine is also recommended for people with increased risk for the disease. Revaccination after five years may be indicated for certain at-risk individuals.
Page last updated/reviewed: April 2026
