Cluj Day | Health alert! US doctors warned to watch out for rare and serious bacterial infection with unusual symptoms

According to US health experts, these infections, which are caused by a certain strain of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, can present with unusual symptoms.

In the cases identified so far this year, approximately 1 in 6 people have died, a mortality rate higher than that usually found in the case of meningococcal infections, informs CNN, according to 360medical.ro.

These cases are also unusual because they strike middle-aged adults. Meningitis infections typically occur in babies or teenagers and young adults.

The CDC alert comes after last September, the Department of Health in the US state of Virginia warned of five deaths caused by the same rare and serious form of meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease refers to any infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The condition can lead to both meningitis and a serious bloodstream infection called septicemia, the serious complication of which, generalized sepsis, can be fatal.

The bacteria can spread from one person to another through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions and usually occurs through kissing, coughing, sneezing or living in close contact with other infected people.

Typical symptoms of meningitis infections include fever, headache, stiff neck, aversion to light, and nausea.

Many of the currently reported cases do not show these symptoms.

About two-thirds of patients have bloodstream infections, and about 4% have painful and infected joints.

Symptoms of meningococcal bloodstream infections include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, diarrhea and, in more advanced stages, a dark purple rash.

The initial symptoms can look like a lot of other different infections, but they get worse quickly and can be life-threatening within hours, the CDC said.

Immediate treatment with antibiotics is essential.

Survivors may have long-term effects such as deafness or amputations of arms and legs.

There is a vaccine that protects against bacterial meningitis.

This is recommended for children aged 11 to 12 years, and as protection wanes, a booster is usually given at age 16.

It is also recommended for people with certain medical conditions that compromise immune function.