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Meningitis - meningococcal

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Definition:

Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Alternative Names:

Meningococcal meningitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus).

Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur in children, from infancy to adolescence. Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.

The onset of the disease may be rapid and may start with an upper respiratory infection or sore throat. The infection occurs more often in winter or spring and may cause local epidemics at boarding schools, college dormitories, or military bases.

Risk factors include recent exposure to meningococcal meningitis and recent upper respiratory infection.

• Review Date: 8/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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