Meningococcal diseases are caused by meningococcal bacteria . Meningococcal bacteria are around us all the time. Healthy people may have the bacteria in their nose or throat. Usually this does not cause disease. In some rare cases, the bacteria can get into the blood or brain, and cause serious illness.
Meningococcal bacteria is carried in saliva or droplets from the nose of an infected person.
Sneezing, coughing, kissing, or sharing cigarettes, food, drinks, or other things that contain saliva can all help to pass the bacteria from one person to another. From the time the bacteria gets, into a person's mouth or nose, it may take from two to ten days for the person to become sick. The average time is three to four days. Anyone can get the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease. However, only a few people who carry the bacteria will actually get sick.