A national nonprofit is warning parents of children and young adults that there is more than one form of meningitis – and the main meningococcal vaccine does not cover all of them.

The American Society for Meningitis Prevention says meningococcal meningitis refers to any illness caused by bacteria known as Neisseria meningitidis.

That bacteria can cause life-threatening bloodstream infections or meningitis, an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms include fever, stiff neck, headache, along with inflammation in the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

The main vaccine only applies to four out of the five strains of the disease.

There is a separate vaccine now available for that the fifth strain, Meningitis B, but patients need to proactively ask about it because it's not considered a mandatory vaccine.

Vaccines are recommended for adolescents and those with underlying medical conditions.