The meningococcus usually causes septicemia before it reaches the meninges.

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Neisseria meningitidis typically invades the bloodstream after nasopharyngeal colonization, causing septicemia, and this hematogenous spread can seed the meninges to produce meningitis. Because bacteremia is a common early step in meningococcal disease, septicemia often precedes CNS involvement, so the statement aligns with the usual pattern. Clinically, septicemia presents with fever and sometimes a purpuric rash or shock, and meningitis signs may develop as the infection reaches the meninges. While meningitis can occur with or without a preceding septicemic phase in some cases, the common sequence supports calling the statement true.