Meningococcal septicemia is a serious condition caused by meningitis bacteria invading the bloodstream, with symptoms including nausea, fever, confusion, and a pinprick rash. It has a 40% mortality rate and requires emergency medical attention. Vaccines and basic hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
Meningococcal septicemia is a type of blood poisoning. It occurs when meningitis bacteria, called Neisseria meningitides, invade the bloodstream and start destroying all of the body’s tissues. This is an extremely serious condition with a 40% mortality rate and a 20% chance of requiring amputation of limbs or extremities. It is therefore important to understand how to recognize and be fully aware that the signs of this disease require emergency medical attention.
The symptoms of meningococcal septicemia are not all the same as the symptoms of meningitis. Meningitis presents with severe sore throat, stiff neck, high fever and sensitivity to light. These symptoms need to be treated right away, but they are not the same symptoms associated with septicemia. Instead, those who suspect septicemia should look for nausea or vomiting, fever, confusion, extreme tiredness or sleepiness, sore throat, cold hands and feet, tremors, discolored skin that may appear pale, gray, or mottled, pain, rapid breathing, and a rash that looks like a pin prick at first and then turns purple.
Not everyone with meningococcal septicemia will have all the symptoms, but the presence of extreme confusion, lethargy, and high fever is always a good reason to see a doctor. People are also more prone to this condition when they are teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15-25 and when they are five years old or younger. However, anyone can get the condition. Also, most cases occur in late winter or early spring.
Because even experienced doctors can miss meningococcal septicemia, parents or caregivers may want to notify doctors who suspect it. If possible, point out things like a pinpoint rash or the various symptoms that a child or teen has caused you to become alarmed. Doctors can certainly test for this and usually do not stop treatment if they are unsure, as the initial treatment is antibiotics. Other treatments such as respiratory support, fluids, and potentially amputation of a limb may be needed if a limb is severely affected. Hospitalization will be necessary for a while, then the infection will disappear completely and, even with treatment, not all patients make it.
There are a couple of things people can do to reduce their risk of getting meningococcal septicemia. There are vaccines that protect against some of the strains that cause meningitis and blood poisoning. They don’t protect against everyone, but they can confer important protection on everyone. Some other important precautions include protecting others by not sending sick children to school and making sure you follow basic hygiene practices such as not sharing food and washing your hands often.
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