How can meningococcal bacteria cause petechial rashes?

In children and teens, meningococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. In adults, it is the second most common cause. Meningococcal bacteria may cause infection in a part of the body -- the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory tract, for instance. read more

Meningococcal Septicemia (aka Meningococcemia) Doctors call septicemia (a bloodstream infection) caused by Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels. This causes bleeding into the skin and organs. read more

A 2003 clinical practice guideline on meningococcal disease stated a “golden rule” that “fever plus a petechial rash” is a serious bacterial sepsis until proven otherwise. The recommended practice is: hospitalization, blood culture, lumber puncture and antibiotic administration; pending culture results. read more