Meningococcemia is an uncommon bloodstream infection (septicemia) caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a meningococcal bacteria. It’s a very rapid progressing infectious disease, mostly occurring in children and young adults.
Sometimes this meningococcal bacteria hangs out in your upper respiratory tract without causing any health issues. However, should meningococcemia’s bacteria make its way into your bloodstream, it can cause vasculitis, meningitis and septic shock. Death results in about 10% of those infected. This bacteria is contagious and can be spread via cough or sneezing droplets.
Initially, this meningococcal bacteria infection may cause these symptoms:
Most of these initial symptoms of meningococcemia are very similar to those of a viral infection, like influenza or gastroenteritis. But one symptom these other infections do not cause petechiae.
As Neisseria meningitidis bacteria continues to multiply in your bloodstream because your immune system fails to stop it, you’ll might start experiencing more severe symptoms, like:
- rash
- seizures
- hematuria
- hemoptysis
- nose bleeds
- shaking chills
- continued fever
- low blood pressure
- impending doom feeling
- overwhelming weakness
- purpura ~ large areas of skin bleeding
By this time your health situation is dire and you need to seek immediate medical attention. And the longer it takes to get antibiotic treatment, the higher your risk of dying.
Some possible health complications of meningococcemia include:
- arthritis
- pericarditis
- Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
- disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)
So if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms coupled with petechiae, then head for your nearest emergency medical center to be checked out for Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal bacteria that causes meningococcemia.
