Meningococcal meningitis Scarlett Shoemaker RN, MSN ISDH Communicable Disease Introduction Meningitis is a generic term defined as inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain.
Symptoms can include fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, and red rash.
There are specific recommendations for the treatment and follow-up of Meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis Description Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis , a Gram negative diplococcus. Late winter to early spring is the peak season for infection, but it can occur at any time of the year. In 1997, there were 67 cases of meningococcal disease in Indiana, which included four fatal cases. Transmission Transmission of N.meningitidis is person to person by direct contact with an infected person's nose or throat secretions.