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Meningococcal septicemia; Meningococcal blood poisoning; Meningococcal bacteremia
Preventive antibiotics for family members and contacts are often recommended. Speak with your health care provider about this option.
A vaccine that covers some -- but not all -- strains of meningococcus is recommended for children. Unvaccinated college students who live in dormitories should also consider receiving this vaccine. In this scenario, it should be given a few weeks before they first move into the dormitory. You should discuss the appropriate use of this vaccine with your health care provider.
Apicella MA. Meningococcal infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 321.
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