Neisseria meningitidis bacteria
Neisseria meningitidis is the bacterium that causes meningococcal meningitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord. This bacterium is spread through close contact with infected people. Droplets in the air from a sneeze or close conversation can be inhaled and may cause infection. Typically symptoms appear three to seven days after exposure. Those symptoms include rash, fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and discomfort when looking at bright lights. Neisseria meningitides also causes other forms of meningococcal disease such as meningococcemia, a life-threatening sepsis.
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