Meningococcemia (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.

There may be few symptoms at first. Some may include:

• Anxiety
• Fever
• Headache
• Irritability
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Rash with red or purple spots (petechiae)

Later symptoms may include:

• Changing level of consciousness
• Large areas of bleeding under the skin (purpura)
• Shock

Meningococcemia is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria frequently lives in a person’s upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness. The bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets — for example, you may become infected if you are around someone with the condition when they sneeze or cough. Family members and those closely exposed to someone with the condition are at increased risk. The infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring.

The bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets — for example, you may become infected if you are around someone with the condition when they sneeze or cough. Family members and those closely exposed to someone with the condition are at increased risk. The infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring.

If you feel you are developing symptoms of meningococcemia, contact your doctor.

Blood tests will be done to rule out other infections and help confirm meningococcemia. Such tests may include:

• Blood culture
• Complete blood count with differential
• Clotting studies (PT, PTT)

Other tests that may be done include:

• Lumbar puncture to obtain spinal fluid sample for CSF culture
• Skin biopsy and gram stain
• Urinalysis

Meningococcemia is a medical emergency. Persons with this type of infection are often admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, where they are closely monitored. The person may be placed in respiratory isolation for the first 24 hours to help prevent the spread of the infection to others. Treatments may include:

• Antibiotics given through a vein (IV), given immediately
• Breathing support
• Clotting factors or platelet replacement — if bleeding disorders develop
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Medications to treat low blood pressure
• Wound care for areas of skin with blood clots

Directions to Hospitals Treating Meningococcemia

Early treatment results in a good outcome. When shock develops, the outcome is less certain. The condition is most life threatening in those who have:

• Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) – a severe bleeding disorder
• Kidney failure
• Shock

Patients who do not develop meningitis also tend to have a poorer outcome.

• Arthritis
• Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)
• Gangrene due to lack of blood supply
• Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin (cutaneous vasculitis)
• Myocarditis
• Pericarditis
• Shock
• Severe damage to adrenal glands that can lead to low blood pressure (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome)

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