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Meningococcemia - Manuelito Pairit

Meningococcemia

Definition

Meningococcemia is an acute (sudden onset) infection of the bloodstream and subsequent vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) with the bacteria neisseria meningitidis.
Alternative names

Meningococcal septicemia; meningococcal blood poisoning; meningococcal bacteremia or bacterial in the blood
Causes incidence and risk factors

Neisseria meningitidis frequently lives in the upper respiratory tract with no evidence of illness. some event is thought to trigger the onset of aggressive behavior of the organism and sporadic cases of meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis appear.

Family members and those closely exposed to an infected individual are at increased risk. the infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring. it is transmitted from persontoperson by respiratory droplets.
Prevention

Prophylaxis (preventive antibiotics) for family members and contacts are often recommended. speak with you health care provider about this option.
Symptoms

Symptoms may be very few at first and can include:

* fever
* petechial rash
* irritability
* anxious appearing

Later symptoms and signs can include:

* appears acutely ill
* changing level of consciousness
* shock
* large areas of hemorrhage and/or thrombosis under the skin

Signs and tests

* cbc with differential
* blood culture
* gram stain of positive culture
* skin biopsy and gram stain
* urinalysis
* clotting studies (pt ptt)

This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

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