beginning of content

Meningococcal disease

14-minute read

Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency. It can cause fever, a purple rash, meningitis and sepsis. If you are worried that you or someone you care for may have meningococcal disease, go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Key facts

  • Meningococcal disease is a contagious illness caused by meningococcal bacteria.
  • Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency.
  • If you are worried that you or someone you care for may have meningococcal disease, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
  • Vaccines are available to help prevent meningococcal disease.

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a contagious illness. It is caused by a type of bacteria called neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcal bacteria).

Meningococcal infections can cause invasive meningococcal disease, which can include:

Invasive meningococcal disease can develop quickly and is life threatening.

Less often, meningococcal bacteria can cause smaller, less severe infections, such as:

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

Symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease can include:

  • fever
  • headache
  • neck stiffness
  • light sensitivity
  • nausea and vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • drowsiness and confusion
  • leg pain or other muscle or joint aches and pains

Meningococcal disease can cause a rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas. The rash does not turn skin-coloured when you press on it with a finger or the side of a clear drinking glass. The rash can be a late sign of meningococcal disease.

In babies and young children, other symptoms of meningococcal disease can include:

  • difficulty feeding or reduced feeds
  • irritability
  • tiredness and floppiness
  • seizures
  • having a high-pitched moaning cry
  • having a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of their head)
  • pale or blotchy skin
Meningococcal disease can cause a rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by the meningococcal bacteria (neisseria meningitidis).

The most common types of meningococcal bacteria that cause invasive meningococcal disease are types A, B, C, W and Y. Meningococcal bacteria can live in the nose and throat of healthy people. The bacteria can spread through:

Who is at risk of meningococcal disease?

Anyone can develop meningococcal disease, but some people are at a higher risk than others.

Those at increased risk are people who have conditions or take treatments that affect their immune systems such as:

Others at increased risk include:

Recent or current respiratory infection (such as a cold or flu), or intimately kissing multiple partners, can also increase your risk.

When should I see my doctor?

Invasive meningococcal disease can develop quickly and is life threatening.
Anyone with a suspected meningococcal infection needs to go to the nearest emergency department, or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you.

Tests that can diagnose meningococcal disease include:

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is meningococcal disease treated?

Meningococcal disease needs treatment in hospital, and often requires intensive care support.

You will need treatment with intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics through a drip).

Other treatments will depend on your symptoms and condition.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a nationally notifiable disease. This means your doctor must report cases of invasive meningococcal disease to the Department of Health. They will try to trace the people you have been in contact with and give them antibiotics to reduce their risk of infection. This helps prevent large outbreaks from occurring.

Can meningococcal disease be prevented?

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against meningococcal disease.

You can lower your risk of catching infections in general if you follow good hygiene practices:

Doctors may give you antibiotics if you've been in close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease. This can reduce your risk of infection.

Vaccination

Vaccination is your best protection against meningococcal disease. There are different vaccines for the different types of meningococcal bacteria that cause the disease (A, B, C, W and Y).

Vaccination against meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY disease is from 6 weeks of age.

To protect yourself against meningococcal disease you should talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. Meningococcal immunisation is recommended for:

The table below has more details on the meningococcal ACWY vaccine and who can get it as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Details about the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine


How is it administered?

Injection


Is it available for free under the National Immunisation Program?

The vaccination is free for:

  • babies at 12 months of age
  • adolescents aged 14 to 16 years (usually given as part of school-based vaccination programs)
  • people with certain medical conditions or taking certain medicines

Read more on the Department of Health website and the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Ask your doctor if you are eligible for other free vaccines based on your situation.


Who can get catch-up vaccinations?

Anyone up to 20 years of age who missed out on their adolescent dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine at 14 to 16 years can get free catch-up vaccinations.

Refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can also get free catch-up vaccinations.


Are there any side effects from meningococcal vaccination?

Possible side effects include:

  • pain, redness, swelling or a lump where the needle went in
  • fever
  • feeling unsettled or tired
  • decreased appetite
  • headache

Meningococcal vaccines should not be given to people who have had a previous severe allergic reaction to them. They are generally not recommended for anybody who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Meningococcal vaccines are not 100% effective. Even if you (or your child) have had a meningococcal vaccination, go to hospital straight away if you have symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Using paracetamol to reduce fever risk

Children under the age of 2 who get the meningococcal B vaccine should have paracetamol to reduce the risk of high fever.

It is recommended that you give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol as follows:

Make sure to follow the recommended instructions on the pack, or ask your pharmacist for dose advice.

Ask your doctor or vaccine provider for advice if you are unsure.

What are the complications of meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is serious and can be life threatening.

Long-term effects of the disease can include:

Resources and support

Meningitis Centre Australia has patient stories and an online support group for people affected by meningitis.

Sepsis Australia provides support and information on sepsis and life after sepsis.

For more information on meningococcal disease and immunisation, visit the Department of Health:

If you are worried about meningococcal disease, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

NSW Health has information about meningococcal disease in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Department of Health has information on immunisation for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Check your symptoms Find a health service

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice and information you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information