Meningococcal disease is rare, but can progress rapidly and may cause serious consequences within 24-48 hours if not diagnosed early.1,2 Early symptoms can be difficult to recognise as they may be similar to a flu-like illness.3 Children under 5 years of age, and adolescents aged 15–19 years are most at risk.4

Talk to your child’s doctor about how to protect your family today.

Meningococcal facts
coronavirus

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection (not a virus) that can lead to:1

  • Septicaemia – infection of the blood and/or
  • Meningitis – infection of the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.

group

Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another by close or lengthy contact.1,5 Whilst not easily spread, behaviours such as coughing and sneezing, living in close quarters or kissing increases the risk of spread.1,5

microbiology

There are multiple types (strains) of meningococcal bacteria.2 Globally, there are 6 strains which most commonly cause disease (A, B, C, W, X and Y).2 Currently in Australia, 3 strains cause the majority of disease (B, W and Y).4

personal injury

1/10 patients may die, despite medical care, and up to 1/5 survivors may have long-term disability such as brain damage, deafness or loss of limbs.2,3

engineering

Approximately 10% of the general population will carry the bacteria at any one time without ever becoming ill, however in a small number of people the bacteria can cause disease.1,5

Meningococcal risk

Meningococcal disease can occur at any age. Children under 5 years of age, and adolescents aged 15–19 years are most at risk.4

Infant

I didn’t really know this was a critical thing that she could have...

Karen, mother of Jenna
Jenna was in a coma for 6 days when she was 2 years old and required amputation of both her hands.

Adolescent

I hadn’t heard people like me getting meningitis until this all happened.

Jacob
Jacob had meningococcal disease when he was 21 years old and spent 22 days in ICU.

Adolescent

I didn’t know how sick I was until I woke up in hospital.

Lachlan
Lachlan had meningococcal disease at 18 years old and missed his final year 12 school exams.

Adolescent

Because it's a rare disease, you don't think it's going to happen to you.

Phoebe
Phoebe had meningococcal disease at 18 years old and had a kidney transplant.

Adolescent

It’s nothing that I ever thought that I could get. I didn't know that much about it. I just, I kind of associated it with the rash.

Claudia
Claudia had meningococcal disease at 18 years old and missed weeks of work recovering.

Symptoms

Early symptoms can be difficult to recognise as they may be similar to a flu-like illness.3 However, symptoms can progress rapidly and may include:1,3

temperatures

Fever

tapas

Loss of
appetite

baby vomit

Vomiting

wb incandescent

Sensitivity
to lights

cognition

Drowsiness
or confusion

psychology

Headache

psychology

Stiff neck

In babies only:1,3

baby cry

High-pitched moaning cry

feeding bottle

Difficult feeding

baby cry

A bulging fontanelle (soft
spot on top of the head)

What about the meningococcal rash?

The meningococcal rash is typically described as red or purple pinprick spots or bruise like areas on the skin that does not disappear when pressure is applied.1,6

Rash is a late sign of meningococcal disease and does not always appear.1,6 

If you suspect your child has meningococcal disease seek medical attention immediately - do not wait for the rash.

Treatment and prevention

stethoscope
Treatment

Early recognition and treatment of meningococcal disease offers the best chance of recovery.5,6 People with meningococcal disease are usually admitted to hospital for treatment, with some people requiring intensive care.1

gpp maybe.
Prevention

Good hygiene practices are important in helping to prevent the spread of germs.1

Vaccines are available to help prevent meningococcal disease.1 While there is currently no single vaccine that protects against all strains of meningococcal disease, different vaccines protect against different strains of meningococcal disease.1

FAQs

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcal bacteria).1,5 There are multiple different strains or serotypes of meningococcal bacteria which are grouped by different letters of the alphabet.2 In Australia, 3 strains cause the majority of disease. These are B, W and Y.4

Meningococcal disease can occur at any age. Children under 5 years of age, and adolescents aged 15–19 years are most at risk.4

The bacteria that causes meningococcal disease can live harmlessly in the nose and throat and can be spread through prolonged person-to-person contact.1,5 The bacteria can be spread through behaviours such as coughing, sneezing, sharing food/drinks, kissing and living in close quarters.1,5

The meningococcal rash is typically described as red or purple pinprick spots or bruise like marking on the body which remains present when pressed with a glass.1,6 However, meningococcal rashes don’t always look the same and can look different on different skin types.7

Not always. Rash is a symptom that may appear in the later stages of the disease.1,6 The bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels, causing a rash.5
If you’re concerned about your child’s health, act fast - don’t wait for a rash and seek medical attention immediately.

Meningococcal disease is rare and most people survive.1 If it is not diagnosed or treated quickly, it can lead to long-term disability or death within 24–48 hours,2 with up to 1 in 5 people having long-term disability and up to 1 in 10 people dying.2,3

Early recognition and treatment of meningococcal disease offers the best chance of recovery.5,6 People with meningococcal disease are usually admitted to hospital for treatment, with some people requiring intensive care.1

You can lower the risk of your child catching infections if you follow these good hygiene practices such as:1
  • Washing/getting them to wash their hands regularly
  • Not letting them share drink bottles, cups or cutlery
  • Getting them to sneeze into their elbow
  • Throwing their tissues into the bin straight after use and both of you washing your hands
Vaccines are available to help prevent meningococcal disease.1

If you are worried that your child may have meningococcal disease, go to your nearest emergency department or call 000 for an ambulance.

Talk to your child’s doctor about meningococcal disease

leaflet book

Know more, worry less

Talk to your child’s doctor about the steps you can take to help protect your family from meningococcal disease today.

References

  1. Health Direct. Meningococcal disease. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/meningococcal-disease [Accessed October 2024].
  2. World Health Organization. Meningitis. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/meningitis [Accessed October 2024].
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease Symptoms and Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/symptoms/index.html [Accessed October 2024].
  4. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report 2022. Available at: https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2023.47.44 [Accessed October 2024].
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Meningococcal Disease. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html [Accessed October 2024].
  6. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Meningococcal Infection. Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Meningococcal_infection/ [Accessed October 2024].
  7. National Health Service (NHS) Symptoms. Meningitis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/symptoms/ [Accessed October 2024].