Meningitis is inflammation of the fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord that usually develops due to an infection. Type C meningitis is a type of bacterial meningitis caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that requires prompt medical treatment with antibiotics. A person should get immediate medical help if they notice any symptoms of meningitis.

Vials of samples to test for type C meningitis.Share on Pinterest
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Meningitis refers to inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It often develops due to an infection, which can include various species of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.

Type C meningitis is an infection caused byTrusted Source the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that bacterial meningitis is a dangerous type of meningitis that can be fatal within 24 hoursTrusted Source.

Type C meningitis develops due to the Neisseria meningitidis serotype C bacterium.

There are at least 12 serotypesTrusted Source of the bacteria, with most meningitis cases developing due to serotypes:

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • W
  • X
  • Y

In the United States, Europe, and Canada, most meningitis cases develop because of serotypes B, C, and Y. Serotypes C and A are the main serotypes that cause meningococcal disease in Africa.

Meningitis is a serious medical condition. A person should get immediate medical help if they develop symptoms.

The symptoms of type C meningitis are the same as other types of meningitis. Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

A person may also develop a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.

In babies, symptoms can include:

  • appearing inactive or displaying slow reactions
  • irritability
  • not feeding well
  • atypical reflexes
  • vomiting
  • a bulging soft spot on the skull

Neisseria meningitidis spreads throughTrusted Source the exchange of saliva and spit. The bacteria can spread through sneezing, coughing, and kissing.

The bacteria can also liveTrusted Source at the top of the throat without causing symptoms. This means a person with no symptoms of meningitis can pass the bacteria to others.

The risk factors for type C meningitis are the same as other types of bacterial meningitis.

Anyone can develop meningitis. However, the following can increaseTrusted Source a person’s risk of developing meningitis:

  • Age: Infants, teenagers, young adults, and older adults have higher rates of meningococcal disease.
  • Certain medical conditions: Some medical conditions can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of meningococcal disease. Examples include:
    • HIV
    • functional and anatomic asplenia, which refers to not having a spleen or having a spleen that does not work as it should
    • complement component deficiencies, which refers to disorders affecting the body’s complement system, which helps the body fight infections
  • Medications: Complement inhibitors such as eculizumab and ravulizumab can weaken the immune system

People from the following groups may also have an increased risk of developing type C meningitis:

  • college students
  • military recruits
  • those who travel
  • those who work with bacteria that cause type c meningitis

Doctors test for meningitis by requesting samples of blood or the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and sending them to a laboratory.

The laboratory performs tests depending on the type of infection the doctor suspects.

Type C meningitis is a bacterial infection, which means doctors treat it with antibiotics — with or without steroids — to reduce inflammation.

A person may also require oxygen through a face mask and fluids given intravenously, which means healthcare professionals administer fluids directly into a vein.

The National Health Service (NHS) reports that a person may need to receive treatment in a hospital for at least 1 week.

Getting vaccinated is the most effectiveTrusted Source method of preventing type C meningitis. There are two vaccines availableTrusted Source to help prevent a person from developing type C meningitis:

  • MenACWY vaccine (Menveo and MenQuadfi): These vaccines protect against serotypes A, C, W, and Y. This preparation is called a quadrivalent vaccine as it protects against four serotypes.
  • MenABCWY vaccine (Penbraya): This vaccine protects against serotypes A, B, C, W, and Y. Healthcare professionals may refer to this preparation as a pentavalent vaccine because it helps protect against five serotypes.

Vaccines are safe and any potential risks outweigh the risk of serious illness with meningitis. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a person may experience some side effects that last for 1 to 5 daysTrusted Source depending on the vaccine.

Side effects can include:

  • soreness at the injection site
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • fever or chills
  • nausea and diarrhea

With prompt treatment, most people who develop type C meningitis make a full recovery. However, some may develop long-term health problems, including:

  • total or partial hearing or vision loss
  • recurrent seizures
  • problems with balance, movement, and coordination
  • loss of limbs because of amputation

The NHS reports that in roughly 1 out of 10 cases, bacterial meningitis can be fatal.

A person should get immediate medical care if they suspect they have any type of meningitis. Without treatment, type C meningitis and certain other types of meningitis can be fatal.

Type C meningitis is a type of meningitis that develops due to the Neisseria meningitidis serotype C bacterium. It is a serious type of bacterial meningitis that requires immediate medical treatment.

The symptoms of type C meningitis include fever, headache, confusion, light sensitivity, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting. A person may also develop a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed against it.

Treatment typically includes antibiotics with or without steroids. Treatment may require at least a week-long hospital stay. Most people make a full recovery with prompt treatment.

However, in a small number of cases, type C meningitis can be fatal.