09/02/25 Public Health Education Topic: Meningococcal Disease
- Health Department
- Sep 2, 2025
- 1 min read
Per CDC:
Key points
Meningococcal disease is serious and can be deadly in hours.
Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are important.
People spread meningococcal bacteria through close or lengthy contact with other people.
Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but certain people are at increased risk.
Vaccines offer the best protection against meningococcal disease.
Types
The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and bloodstream infections.
With meningococcal meningitis, the bacteria infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord and cause swelling.
With a meningococcal bloodstream infection, the bacteria enter the blood and damage the walls of the blood vessels. This causes bleeding in the skin and organs.
Symptoms:
Spread to others
People spread meningococcal bacteria to others by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit).
Generally, it takes close or lengthy contact to spread the bacteria.
Example of close contact: Kissing
Example of lengthy contact: Living together
They aren't as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.
To learn more visit: About Meningococcal Disease | Meningococcal | CDC
