Overview
Meningococcal meningitis, also called bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is a serious infection of the thin layers of tissue (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria spread through close contact with an infected person, such as coughing, sneezing, or kissing. Once the bacteria reach the meninges, they cause dangerous swelling around the brain that can become life-threatening within hours. The disease can affect people of any age, but it is most dangerous in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. Common symptoms include a sudden high fever, a very stiff neck, severe headache, sensitivity to light, and vomiting. One of the most alarming signs is a skin rash made up of small red or purple spots that do not fade when you press a glass against them. This rash is a sign that the infection has spread into the bloodstream, a condition called meningococcal septicemia. Meningococcal meningitis is a medical emergency. Treatment with powerful antibiotics, usually given directly into a vein in the hospital, must begin as soon as possible. Vaccines are available and are the best way to prevent this disease. With fast treatment, many people recover fully, but some survivors are left with lasting complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or limb amputation due to tissue damage from the infection.
Key symptoms:
Sudden high feverVery stiff and painful neckSevere headacheSensitivity to bright lightNausea and vomitingConfusion or difficulty thinking clearlySkin rash with small red or purple spots that do not fade when pressedSeizuresExtreme tiredness or difficulty staying awakeCold hands and feetRapid breathingJoint or muscle painBulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head) in babiesHigh-pitched crying in infantsLoss of appetite in babies
Clinical phenotype terms (35)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsSinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
GlaxoSmithKline — PHASE3
University Ghent — PHASE4
CanSino Biologics Inc. — PHASE3
CanSino Biologics Inc. — PHASE4
CanSino Biologics Inc. — PHASE3
CanSino Biologics Inc. — PHASE3
CanSino Biologics Inc. — PHASE4
GlaxoSmithKline — PHASE2
Association Clinique Thérapeutique Infantile du val de Marne
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Meningococcal meningitis.
6 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesRifadin I.V.
Hoechst Marion Roussel
Rifadin I.V. — Contact Hoechst Marion Roussel
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Meningococcal meningitis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Meningococcal meningitis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Meningococcal meningitis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: National Bacterial Meningitis Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Meningococcal meningitis
New recruiting trial: Investigating Gender and Sex Differences in Immune Responses Through Vaccination of Transgender and Cisgender Persons
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Meningococcal meningitis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of meningococcus caused this infection, and does that affect my treatment or my family's risk?,Should my close contacts (family, roommates) take preventive antibiotics, and which ones?,What follow-up tests or appointments do I (or my child) need after leaving the hospital?,Is there a reason why this happened to me — should I be tested for an immune system condition that made me more vulnerable?,What vaccines should I and my family members receive to prevent this from happening again?,What long-term complications should I watch for, and how soon will we know if there is permanent damage?,Are there support groups or rehabilitation services you can refer me to for recovery?
Common questions about Meningococcal meningitis
What is Meningococcal meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis, also called bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is a serious infection of the thin layers of tissue (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria spread through close contact with an infected person, such as coughing, sneezing, or kissing. Once the bacteria reach the meninges, they cause dangerous swelling around the brain that can become life-threatening within hours. The disease can affect people of any age, but it is most dangerous in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. Common symptoms include a sudden
How is Meningococcal meningitis inherited?
Meningococcal meningitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Meningococcal meningitis?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Meningococcal meningitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Meningococcal meningitis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Meningococcal meningitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Meningococcal meningitis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Meningococcal meningitis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.