Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Meningococcal disease

9-minute read

Key facts

  • Meningococcal disease is a contagious disease 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, see your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
  • Anyone can develop meningococcal disease, but some people — like infants and small children — are at a higher risk.
  • Vaccines are available to prevent meningococcal disease.

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcal bacteria). It can develop quickly, and it can be fatal. Anyone with a suspected meningococcal infection needs to see a doctor immediately.

Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency. It can kill within hours, so early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear as that is a late stage of the disease.

If you are worried that you or someone you care for may have meningococcal disease, see your doctor immediately. If your doctor is not available, go to your nearest emergency department.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

The main symptoms of meningococcal disease are:

  • rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas, that does not turn skin-coloured when you press on it with a finger or the side of a clear drinking glass
  • fever
  • headache
  • neck stiffness
  • light sensitivity
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • drowsiness and confusion
  • difficulty walking or talking

In babies and young children, you might notice they:

  • refuse food
  • are fretful and irritable
  • are very tired and floppy
  • have a fit or are twitchy
  • have a high moaning cry

The signs and symptoms do not appear in a definite order and some may not appear at all.

This symptoms list does not include every possible sign and symptom.

Very occasionally, meningococcal bacteria can invade the bloodstream, causing meningococcal disease that may present itself as sepsis (a blood infection, also known as 'septicaemia' or 'blood poisoning'), meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord), or an infection of another body part, such as the joints and eyes. Most cases occur in children under 5 years, but it can happen in people of any age.

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

What causes meningococcal disease?

In Australia, the most common types of meningococcal bacteria are called B, W and Y. These bacteria live in the nose or throat, and can be spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing eating and drinking utensils and kissing.

It is not easy to pass the bacteria on, because they cannot survive outside the human body for long periods of time. The only way they are passed from person to person is if you live in the same house or have intimate contact, like deep kissing.

How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

It is vital to diagnose meningococcal disease as soon as possible so that treatment can be started quickly. Diagnosis is made by asking about symptoms and testing a sample of blood, spinal or joint fluid.

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

How is meningococcal disease treated?

Meningococcal disease is treated with intravenous antibiotics in hospital and often requires intensive care support.

Who is at risk of meningococcal disease?

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

  • household contacts of people with meningococcal disease
  • infants, small children, adolescents and young adults
  • people who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke
  • people who practice intimate kissing, especially with more than one partner
  • people who have recently had a viral upper respiratory tract illness
  • travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease
  • people with no working spleen or who have certain other rare medical conditions

Can meningococcal disease be prevented?

There are different vaccines in Australia to protect against different types of meningococcal bacteria. You need to be vaccinated at different times to protect against different strains.

The meningococcal vaccine is not 100% effective. Even if you (or your child) have had a meningococcal vaccination, go to your doctor or the hospital straight away if you have symptoms of meningococcal disease.

While some vaccines are available for different strains from 6 weeks of age, the Government recommends meningococcal vaccination for:

  • babies and young children under 2 years old
  • teenagers and young adults aged 15-19 years
  • teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 who live in crowded conditions
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 2 months to 19 years
  • teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 years who are current smokers
  • travellers to places where meningococcal disease is more common
  • people who have medical conditions that increase their risk meningococcal disease, such as people with some blood disorders or weakened immune systems
  • laboratory workers who work with the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

Vaccination is your best protection against meningococcal disease. This table explains how the vaccine is given, who should get it, and whether it is on the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Some diseases can be prevented with different vaccines, so talk to your doctor about which one is appropriate for you.

What age is it recommended?

12 months.

Teenagers from 14 to 19.

When to get vaccinated? If you are travelling and haven’t been vaccinated, consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia.
How many doses are required? 1, 2, 3 or 4, depending on the vaccine and the age it is given.
How is it administered? Injection
Is it free?

Free for babies at 12 months of age and adolescents aged 14 to 16 years at school, or from 15 to 19 as part of an ongoing catch up program.

Find out more on the Department of Health website and the National Immunisation Program Schedule, and ask your doctor if you are eligible for additional free vaccines based on your situation or location.

Common side effects The vaccines are safe. Side effects may include pain, redness and swelling where the needle went in, fever (especially for meningococcal B vaccine), feeling unsettled or tired, decreased appetite or headache.

What are the complications of meningococcal disease?

Long-term effects of the disease include:

  • deformed arms and legs, or losing a limb
  • joint aches and stiffness
  • scarring
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • deafness in one or both ears
  • kidney or liver failure
  • headaches
  • blurred or double vision
  • blindness
  • learning difficulties

Resources and support

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: April 2021


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Meningococcal Disease - Brain Foundation

Meningococcal Disease (See also Meningitis) Description Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease caused by the meningococcus bacterium

Read more on Brain Foundation website

Meningococcal disease - MyDr.com.au

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness, occurring mostly in winter and early spring in Australia. Find out what causes this disease and how to prevent it.

Read more on myDr website

Meningococcal disease in Australia | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Meningococcal disease is a rare bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

Read more on AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website

Meningococcal disease – immunisation - Better Health Channel

Meningococcal group vaccines provide good protection against meningococcal group diseases.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Meningococcal disease – invasive | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Find out how we define and monitor cases of meningococcal disease, how you can get vaccinated, and where you can learn more about this disease.

Read more on Department of Health and Aged Care website

Meningococcal disease - Better Health Channel

Do not leave young adults alone if they suddenly develop a fever because they may become seriously ill very quickly.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

90 second animation – Meningococcal ACWY vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Meningococcal disease is rare, but very serious, and you can protect yourself from it. The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is provided free in schools for young people in year 10.

Read more on Department of Health and Aged Care website

Keep yourself protected from Meningococcal - Immunisation Coalition

Meningococcal is a life threatening disease that can cause meningitis or septicaemia. Find out how vaccination can help protect you.

Read more on Immunisation Coalition website

Meningococcal vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Information about meningococcal vaccines, who they are recommended for, how and where to get vaccinated. If you're eligible, you can get the meningococcal vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program.

Read more on Department of Health and Aged Care website

Meningococcal infection | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

What is meningococcal infection? Meningococcus is a bacterial infection which can make people sick very quickly

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice 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 and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.