Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the meningococcal bacteria. If a person appears more ill than with the usual cold or flu, it is important to visit your doctor. Meningococcemia is the infection of the blood caused by the meningococcal bacteria. The symptoms of meningococcemia are similar to meningitis except that people might not complain of a stiff neck. About 400 cases of meningococcal diseases are reported each year in Canada.
Meningococcal diseases occur most often in children and young adults.
Those at highest risk are members of households or day cares in which someone has recently had an infection. Meningococcal diseases are spread by direct contact with an infected person's saliva or droplets spread by coughing or sneezing on someone. As a rule, close contacts include those people who live in the same household and infants and toddlers who attend the same day care or nursery as someone who is infected. It could also include others, depending on particular circumstances that could lead to close contact situations. Avoid coughing or sneezing directly over another individual Avoid kissing another person on the lips who may be experiencing some of the symptoms.