Meningococcal Infections
Alternate Names : Neisseria Meningitidis Infections
What are the signs and symptoms of the infection?
Symptoms of meningococcal infections often start when the bacteria get into the bloodstream. The symptoms then get worse quickly. Following are some of the signs and symptoms:
fever and chills
malaise, or a vague feeling of illness
nausea and vomiting
a skin rash, usually a series of flat or raised red bumps, which may be all over the body
When the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria affect the spinal cord, the person will develop symptoms of meningitis. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis in people older than 2 years of age may include the following:
confusion
drowsiness
fever
headache
light sensitivity
seizures
stiff neck
vomiting
An infant with bacterial meningitis may be irritable, unable to feed well, and be slow or inactive.
Meningococcemia can cause a variety of symptoms. The person may have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as cough and runny nose, for a few days. Then he or she may develop chills and a high fever. The person will have a skin rash, which can spread over the body. The rash may be tiny areas known as petechiae. The person may develop large purplish areas that look like bruises. Other symptoms of meningococcemia include:
headache
malaise
muscle and joint pain
nausea and vomiting
weakness
As the meningococcemia worsens, the person may become restless and delirious. If the lungs are infected, the individual may have chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.
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