HealthInfo Canterbury
Meningococcal disease can kill. Urgent treatment is essential.
If you think that you or your child has the symptoms listed below, seek urgent medical attention.
The following video shows a family talking about their experience with meningococcal disease and meningitis.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious infection caused by a bacterium (germ). It can lead to severe blood poisoning (septicaemia), bacterial meningitis and pneumonia (lung infection). These can happen individually but they most commonly happen together.
The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease lives in the back of the throat in about 15% of healthy people. Most of the time it doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes the bacteria passes into the blood stream causing meningococcal infection. Doctors don't know why some people get very ill and others don't.
The bacteria is spread in saliva droplets and secretions by coughing, sneezing and kissing. Sharing eating and drinking utensils can also spread the bacteria.
Meningococcal disease symptoms typically develop very quickly over a few hours, but in some cases may develop more slowly over several days. A person with meningococcal disease may only have some of the symptoms. The symptoms don't develop in any particular order.
Common symptoms of meningococcal disease include:
Common symptoms of meningitis include:
A red or purple rash is common, but it doesn't always happen. One or two spots can appear anywhere on the body then many more appear looking like rash or bruises. If you firmly press a glass on the spots and they don't fade, call 111 for urgent medical help.
Common symptoms in babies include:
Anyone can get meningococcal disease but it's more common in:
The Ministry of Health funds free vaccinations for groups of people with a high risk of meningococcal disease. This includes young people aged 13 to 25 entering communal accommodation such as boarding school hostels, tertiary education halls of residence, military barracks and prisons. They also recommend but don't fund vaccinations for other groups of people. See Meningococcal disease (including meningitis) – Prevention for details.
Several meningococcal vaccines are available in New Zealand. You can pay for them privately through your GP.
If you've had recent close contact with someone with meningococcal disease, your doctor may recommend preventative antibiotics. Your local public health will usually contact you about this. But check with your GP if you're concerned.
Injected high doses of antibiotics can treat meningococcal disease effectively. But the treatment must be started as soon as possible. It's very important to be aware of the symptoms and get urgent medical help immediately.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Extensive information about meningococcal disease, including who is most at risk. It also includes information about meningococcal disease vaccinations available in New Zealand.
Information about meningococcal infection, including symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical director, Infectious Diseases, Canterbury DHB. Page created December 2018.
Review key: HIMGD-49770