TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Meningococcemia A1 - Shah, Ashish A1 - Sobolewski, Brad A1 - Mittiga, Matthew R. A2 - Knoop, Kevin J. A2 - Stack, Lawrence B. A2 - Storrow, Alan B. A2 - Thurman, R. Jason PY - 2021 T2 - The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e AB - Meningococcemia is an acute febrile illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteremia characterized by its generally rapid onset, significant toxicity, and petechial rash involving the skin and mucous membranes. The petechiae progress to become palpable purpura and may coalesce to become purpura fulminans. It progresses rapidly to decompensated septic shock with hypotension and multisystem organ failure. In cases of fulminant disease, progressive shock is accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation and massive mucosal hemorrhages. Prodromal symptoms may include cough, coryza, headache, neck pain, and malaise. Children less than 5 years of age and college students who did not receive the meningococcal vaccine during high school are at greatest risk. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181044420 ER -