meningococcemia

1 9.9

A serious infection when bacteria are in the blood and make you very ill

noun
/ˌmɛnɪŋɡoʊkəˈsiːmiə/

Specialized

: meningococcemia

If untreated, meningococcemia can lead to severe complications and may be fatal.

Examples

Viral haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola are rare in travellers; bacterial infections, such as leptospirosis, meningococcemia, and rickettsial infections, can also cause fever and haemorrhage.

Academic text (2012)
The doctor explained that meningococcemia is a serious infection requiring immediate medical attention.
Vaccination against meningitis also helps prevent meningococcemia, especially in young children.

Synonyms

blood poisoning

vsmeningococcemia

4 3.6

A serious illness when germs get into the blood and make you very ill

is a specific bloodstream infection caused by one bacterial type

Surface Forms

meningococcemia singular

meningococcemias plural

Morphology

meningococcemia = meningococcus (semi-transparent) = meningococc + emia

Formed from the bacterium name 'meningococcus' and the medical suffix '-emia' (blood condition); the parts are clear but highly technical for average learners.

Etymology

Meningococcemia comes from three parts: meningo- meaning 'membrane', the thin layers around the brain, coccus meaning 'round' or 'berry' and used for round bacteria, and -emia meaning 'blood', as in anemia. So meningococcemia literally names meningococcal bacteria in the blood, which is why it means a serious bloodstream infection.