The germ can be passed from person to person by sneezing, coughing, and kissing, or sharing cigarettes, food, drinks and other things that contain saliva. From the time the germ gets into your mouth or nose, it may take from two to 10 days for you to become sick, usually taking three to four days. Anyone can get the germ that causes meningococcal disease, but only a very few people will actually get sick. Many people will get the germ when they are children and will develop protection by the time they are teenagers. These people will have lifelong protection.
Many healthy people carry the bacteria in their nose or throat for a long time.
They may be able to spread the germ to others, but it does not cause them any harm. It is only rarely that the germ causes the serious disease. When people have close contact with an infected person, they are at greater risk. This can happen in a family, daycare, or dormitory setting. Usually there is no increased spread within schools or at recreational or social events.