Meningococcal disease may present as meningitis, septicemia, or a combination of the two. Generally, meningitis has a gradual onset, with fever, headache, and neck stiffness as the most frequent clinical symptoms. By contrast, fulminant septicemia may develop within hours, and is characterized by petechial bleedings and shock. It is of vital importance to diagnose and treat meningococcal disease rapidly. The diagnosis is based on the culture of Neisseria meningitides from blood or cerebrospinal fluid, or on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of spinal fluid. Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone are usually recommended as antibacterial treatment. There is a vaccine effective against disease with serogroups A, C, Y, and W.
Part of the book: Disorders of Consciousness