What is meningococcal sepsis?

What is meningococcal sepsis?

Meningococcal septicemia (aka meningococcemia) Doctors call septicemia (a bloodstream infection) caused by Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels.

Which are the drugs used for meningococcal infection?

Penicillin is the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Chemoprophylactic antimicrobials most commonly used to eradicate meningococci include rifampin, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), ceftriaxone.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis?

Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include sudden fever, headache, and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion. Children and infants may show different signs and symptoms, such as inactivity, irritability, vomiting, or poor reflexes.

How do you get meningococcal sepsis?

People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.

How is meningococcal sepsis diagnosed?

Meningococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are often similar to those of other illnesses. If a doctor suspects meningococcal disease, they will collect samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (fluid near the spinal cord). Doctors then send the samples to a laboratory for testing.

Is meningococcal curable?

Doctors treat meningococcal disease with a number of antibiotics. It is important that treatment start as soon as possible. If a doctor suspects meningococcal disease, they will give the person antibiotics right away.

How long does it take to recover from meningococcal?

Most people feel better within 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, it can help to: get plenty of rest. take painkillers for a headache or general aches.

Can you survive meningococcal?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, even with antibiotics, 10 to 15% of those infected will die and about 1 in 5 of those who survive are left with long-term disabilities that include deafness, brain damage, neurological problems, and even loss of a limb.

Who is most at risk for meningococcal meningitis?

Infants, teens and young adults, and older adults have the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the United States.

What are the chances of dying from meningitis?

Many organisms can cause meningitis including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Bacterial meningitis is of particular concern. Around 1 in 10 people who get this type of meningitis die and 1 in 5 have severe complications. Safe affordable vaccines are the most effective way to deliver long-lasting protection.

What organs are affected with meningococcal meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain.

Can you live after meningitis?

Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

What is the difference between meningitis and meningococcal sepsis?

Bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria infect the lining of the brain (the meninges) and the spinal cord. Meningococcal septicaemia – or blood poisoning – occurs when the bacteria in the blood multiply uncontrollably.

What is the difference between sepsis and meningococcal?

Firstly, what is Meningococcal Disease? Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis, septicaemia or both. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and the spinal cord whilst septicaemia is poisoning of the blood caused by the same germs.

Who is most prone to meningitis?

Children between the ages of 1 month and 2 years are the most susceptible to bacterial meningitis. Adults with certain risk factors are also susceptible. You are at higher risk if you abuse alcohol, have chronic nose and ear infections, sustain a head injury or get pneumococcal pneumonia.

What gender is most affected by meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis primarily affects infants, children, and young adults. Males are affected slightly more than females, and account for 55% of all cases, with an incidence of 1.2 cases per 100,000 population, compared to 1 case per 100,000 population among females.