Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Meningococcal infection
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Meningococcal infection: Infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. (Neisseria was formerly called Meningococcus and the term "meningococcal" is still entrenched.)
Persons with a meningococcal infection may have any of several acute illnesses, including:
- meningitis and sepsis (blood infection),
- meningitis in the absence of sepsis,
- sepsis in the absence of meningitis,
- a predominantly cutaneous (skin) condition called purpura fulminans, or
- some combination of these conditions.
See also: Meningococcal meningitis; Meningococcal vaccine; Meningococcemia; Meningococcus.