Are fainting, sensitivity to light and confusion common symptoms? Should someone with these symptoms see a doctor right away?

Olga Pasick responds:

Meningococcal disease is often misdiagnosed as something less serious because early symptoms are similar to the flu or a cold, and may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, exhaustion, a rash, confusion, fainting, and sensitivity to light. Left untreated, meningococcal disease can progress rapidly and can lead, often within hours of the first symptoms, to shock, death or serious complications, including brain damage, kidney disease, hearing loss or loss of limbs. Parents and students are urged to seek medical care immediately if two or more of these symptoms come on suddenly or are particularly severe.