Question

Symptoms of disseminated meningococcemia may include:

a) Rash, fever, and cough
b) Arthritis, diarrhea, and vomiting
c) Photophobia, headache, and stiff neck
d) Rapidly progressive purpura, shock, and organ failure

Answer 1

Disseminated meningococcemia is characterized by severe symptoms such as rapidly progressive purpura, shock, and organ failure, with early signs resembling flu-like symptoms. The condition can escalate to include a distinctive petechial rash and serious systemic responses that can be life-threatening.

Step-by-step explanation:

Symptoms of disseminated meningococcemia may include rapidly progressive purpura, shock, and organ failure. Early symptoms of this disease often present as flu-like, including fever, headache, and chills, which may precede more severe indications such as a rash, muscle pain, and, in later stages, pulmonary hemorrhaging, meningitis, or jaundice. One hallmark feature of meningococcemia is the formation of a petechial rash, which is due to the disruption of blood vessels by virulence factors. Additionally, this condition can lead to Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), which can cause severe health complications like hemorrhagic lesions on the skin, shock, convulsions, coma, and potentially death. Pertinent symptoms like photophobia, stiff neck, and confusion are indicative of neurological involvement and require immediate medical attention.