Difference Between Meningococcal and Meningitis

Meningococcal disease refers to a condition caused by the meningococcal bacterium (or, Neisseria meningitidis). Meningococcal disease can include meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord – this lining is called the meninges), and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

1. What is the difference between meningitis and meningococcal Septicaemia?
2. What are the 3 types of meningitis?
3. What are the 5 types of meningitis?
4. What is meningococcal meningitis?
5. How long can you have meningitis without knowing?
6. What are the first signs of meningococcal?
7. How do people get meningitis?
8. Does Meningitis go away by itself?
9. How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?
10. Who is at risk for meningitis?
11. What is another name for meningitis?
12. What can be mistaken for meningitis?

What is the difference between meningitis and meningococcal Septicaemia?

Bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria infect the lining of the brain (the meninges) and the spinal cord. Meningococcal septicaemia – or blood poisoning – occurs when the bacteria in the blood multiply uncontrollably.

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

Types of meningitis

• Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. ...
• Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. ...
• Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. ...
• Parasitic meningitis. ...
• Non-infectious meningitis.

What are the 5 types of meningitis?

There are actually five types of meningitis — bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and non-infectious — each classified by the cause of the disease.

What is meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a form of meningitis caused by a specific bacterium known as Neisseria meningitidis. Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord.

How long can you have meningitis without knowing?

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3 to 7 days after exposure. Later symptoms of bacterial meningitis can be very serious (e.g., seizures, coma). For this reason, anyone who thinks they may have meningitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the first signs of meningococcal?

Symptoms include a rash and fever. Meningococcal can affect people of all ages, but can be prevented with vaccination.
...
Symptoms

• rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas.
• fever.
• headache.
• neck stiffness.
• discomfort when you look at bright light.
• nausea or vomiting.
• diarrhoea.
• feeling very, very sick.

How do people get meningitis?

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.

Does Meningitis go away by itself?

Most people with mild viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days. Initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis.

How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?

The clues that the doctor uses are the levels of white cells, protein and glucose in the CSF. Typically in bacterial meningitis the white cell count is much higher than in viral meningitis (and is a different type of white cell), the protein is much higher and the glucose is much lower than in viral meningitis.

Who is at risk for meningitis?

Risk factors for meningitis include the following: Extremes of age (< 5 or >60 years) Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, or cystic fibrosis. Immunosuppression, which increases the risk of opportunistic infections and acute bacterial meningitis.

What is another name for meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus). Meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children and teens. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. The infection occurs more often in winter or spring.

What can be mistaken for meningitis?

Neurosarcoidosis — a rare form of sarcoidosis affecting the central nervous system — can be misdiagnosed as meningitis because of similarities in neurological symptoms, a case study from Mexico reports. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.