Beautiful but deadly

Neisseria meningitidis, a cause of bacterial meningitis, or infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is one of the bacteria that can cross the "blood-brain barrier", which is actually a functional concept rather than a specific organ or membrane. It is transmitted primarily through the upper respiratory system, specifically the sphenoid sinus. That sinus sits under the cribiform plate, the most vulnerable section of the skull surrounding the olfactory bulbs and cells. The bacterium spreads rapidly in crowded conditions through droplets and is seen often as a cause of meningitis in dorms and barracks as well as in the developing world. There is a vaccine, which is highly effective (I took it myself before going to Africa the first time) and should be considered for all teenagers. The alternative? N. meningitis infection can become overwhelming and carries a case fatality rate (CFR) of over 40% if it does; menigititis alone with this organism has a CFR of 20%. Hand-washing has a significant impact on spread as well.