People often confuse meningococcal disease and meningitis, but they are not the same condition. While they share similar symptoms and treatments, they can have different causes. Both conditions may be life threatening.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Various pathogens can cause it.
Meningococcal disease is specifically caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria and can lead to meningitis, septicemia (blood infection), or both.
While both conditions are serious, understanding their differences is key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
This article explains the conditions and provides information about their causes, symptoms, and prevention.
Key differences
- Affected body systems: Meningococcal disease can affect multiple systems, whereas meningitis refers specifically to inflammation of the meninges — the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Causes: Bacteria, parasites, or fungi can cause meningitis. Only the bacterium N. meningitidis causes meningococcal disease.
- Connection: Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and other serious conditions, such as septicemia (blood infection) without meningitis. Not all cases of meningitis are caused by meningococcal bacteria.
Both conditions can be life threatening and share some common symptoms, including:
- severe headache
- stiff neck
- sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- rash of small, dark red, purple, or brown spots
People may not experience all of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially for meningococcal disease, since it can progress rapidly and be fatal
Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs to seek immediate medical attention.
Read about 22 symptoms of meningitis.
Various pathogens can cause meningitis, while N. meningitidis specifically causes meningococcal disease.
Causes of meningococcal disease
N. meningitidis bacteria cause meningococcal disease. About
People can spread bacteria to other people through close or prolonged contact. Droplets of saliva containing bacteria can enter the air when a person exhales.
Causes of meningitis
The following organisms can cause meningitis:
- bacteria, including N. meningitidis
- viruses
- fungi
People may develop meningitis through inhaling bacteria and viruses via droplets in the air.
In
Read about the differences between bacterial and viral meningitis.
The following factors can increase the risk of developing meningococcal disease and meningitis:
- having a weakened immune system
- being an infant, young person, or older adult
- spending time in busy places with lots of other people
- having close or prolonged contact with someone with meningococcal disease
Doctors diagnose meningococcal disease and meningitis in similar ways.
If a healthcare professional suspects one of these conditions, they may take samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the spinal cord.
Experts in a laboratory will then analyze the samples. They may perform specific tests to determine which pathogen is causing the infection. This helps doctors know which antibiotics will be most effective to prescribe.
Viral meningitis
Doctors treat meningococcal disease and bacterial meningitis with antibiotics as soon as they suspect someone has one of the conditions. Urgent treatment is essential to reduce the risk of serious complications and death.
As these conditions progress, they can cause tissue death, so people may need treatments to address this too.
Other treatments people may need
- breathing support
- medications
- surgery to remove dead tissue
- wound care
In the United States, the following vaccines are widely available to protect people from certain bacteria that can cause meningococcal disease and meningitis:
- Meningococcal vaccines: These protect against both meningitis and meningococcal disease. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source recommends these vaccines for preteens, teens, and adults at increased risk. - Pneumococcal vaccines: Doctors may
recommendTrusted Source these vaccines for young children, older adults, or people with certain risk factors. - Hib vaccines: The CDC recommends that all children
under 5 years oldTrusted Source receive this vaccine.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, meningococcal disease kills 1 in 6 people, even if they have received treatment. A person’s condition can deteriorate very rapidly. People who survive have a 1 in 5 chance of having serious and permanent complications, such as:
- brain damage
- kidney damage
- hearing loss
- amputation of limbs or digits
Viral meningitis often gets better on its own and rarely causes long-term complications.
Most people with bacterial meningitis who receive prompt treatment make a full recovery. Some people experience complications. Bacterial meningitis causes death in around 1 in 10 cases.
Read more about the long-term effects of meningitis.
Meningococcal disease and meningitis are related, but they are not the same.
Meningococcal disease is caused by N. meningitidis bacteria, whereas meningitis may be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungi. Meningococcal disease can lead to meningococcal meningitis.
Both conditions can cause symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and a rash. If someone experiences one or more of these symptoms, they must seek immediate medical attention. Prompt treatment may help avoid serious complications.
