What is bacterial meningitis?

Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. It can cause meningitis, bacteremia (blood infection) or pneumonia.

Some people naturally carry this bacterium in their upper respiratory system, without being ill.

How is bacterial meningitis spread?

Transmission occurs from person to person through contact with infected oral and nasal fluids. This can happen when you come in contact with an infected person through kissing, drinking after an infected person, sharing toothbrushes or eating with the same utensil.

What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis?

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are: fever, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, extreme sleepiness, confusion, lack of appetite. Some people may also have a rash.

If you think you have been exposed to bacterial meningitis and experience these symptoms, please contact your physician.

If I’ve been exposed to bacterial meningitis, how long will it take for symptoms to develop?

It takes anywhere from one to 10 days from the time a person is exposed to the time the symptoms appear. The average is four days.

What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to bacterial meningitis?

If you think you have been exposed, please contact your physician for evaluation. There are antibiotics that can decrease your chances of becoming ill, and these antibiotics should be taken within seven days of exposure.

How common is bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is not very common. In Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties) the average number of cases per year is less than five.

Where can I get more information on bacterial meningitis?

For more information online, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s meningitis Web page.

Or, you can call the Northern Kentucky Health Department’s Epidemiology Services at 859.363.2070.