Frequently asked questions

Should you have any other questions you feel remained unanswered, please have a look at our research FAQ section or contact us.

How do people catch bacterial meningitis?
Can anyone suffer from meningitis and septicaemia?
Why are babies and students more at risk?
Are there factors that might predispose a person to get meningitis/septicaemia?
When is meningitis at its highest?
Someone I know is currently in hospital with bacterial meningitis. Am I at risk?
Will I need antibiotics if someone I know is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis?
If someone has suffered from the disease, can they catch it again?
What do I do if I think my child is showing the symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, but my GP tells me otherwise?
What causes the meningococcal septicaemia rash?
If the rash does fade when carrying out the tumbler test, what should I do?
Do babies show the same symptoms as children and adults?
Do symptoms appear in a particular order?
Are meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia treatable?
What can I do to protect myself and my family?

How do people catch bacterial meningitis?

While bacterial meningitis and septicaemia are rare, the bacteria which actually cause the diseases are quite common, with 10 percent of people (and 10 to 30 percent of young adults) carrying the meningococcal bacteria and up to 60 percent of people carrying the pneumococcal bacteria at any time.

These bacteria normally live harmlessly at the back of the nose and throat and can only be passed from person to person in nasal or oral droplets, for example by kissing or sneezing. Even when passed on they are unlikely to cause any problems, as most people have a natural resistance to the bacteria. These bacteria can only survive outside the body for a short period of time and can not live long in the air or on household objects such as clothes or furniture.

Course of meningococcal disease

Scientists don't yet fully understand why bacteria which are harmless to most of us, cross into the bloodstream and turn into deadly killers. Finding out the answer to this will help our researchers develop a vaccine to prevent people against all forms of the disease.

Can anyone suffer from meningitis and septicaemia?

Yes. These diseases can affect anyone of any age. However babies, children under the age of five (peaking around two years), young adults aged between 14 and 24 and older people are most at risk.

Based on average figures for the past 10 years, around 3,400 people are affected by bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK each year. One in 10 victims will die, and one in seven of those who survive will be left with permanent disability such as loss of limbs, blindness, deafness and brain damage.

Why are babies and students more at risk?

Babies do not replace the temporary natural immunity they get from their mothers until school age and so are at greater risk. Students are thought to be more at risk because the carriage rates tend to be higher due to the close proximity in which they live on University campuses.

Are there factors that might predispose a person to get meningitis/septicaemia?

Yes. These include:

Age
People with certain immunodeficiences such as no spleen or HIV
The virulence of the bacterium
A person's genetic make up

A study with twins at St Mary's hospital proved that the likelihood of developing disease is 70% dependent on the virulence of the strain you contract and 30% genetic. More recently, research undertaken by Prof. Levin at Imperial College, London found that a defect in the 'Factor H' gene led to an increased susceptibility to meningococcal disease. However, this is only a very slight increase. In the general population, there is a 1 in 40,000 chance of contracting meningococcal disease. If this increased 10 times due to a defect in the factor H gene, the risk would only rise to 10 in 40,000.

Approximately, 1 in 500 cases of meningococcal disease will also see the presence of a genetic defect known as complement deficiencies. These genetically inherited immunodeficiencies can be detected using routine tests. There are certain circumstances where referral to an immunologist for screening would be advised such as:

1. Where there is a family history of meningitis

2. Where the same individual has had meningitis two or more times

When is meningitis at its highest?

Viral meningitis is more common in summer, bacterial meningitis in winter. During the winter months, the number of cases of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia dramatically rise, peaking in February. Based on figures from recent years, about 250 people in England and Wales are likely to be diagnosed with the disease in the first four weeks of January alone.

Someone I know is currently in hospital with bacterial meningitis. Am I at risk?

There is no need to avoid people who have been in contact with meningitis. As one in ten people carry the meningococcal bacteria, most of us come into contact with them every day. The chances of catching meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia from someone you know are slight as the bacteria can only be passed on through close contact such as kissing and sneezing and can only survive outside the body for a few seconds.

Usually, you have to be in prolonged close contact with someone for the bacteria to be passed on and even when this happens, most of us will not become ill because we have a natural resistance to it.

Detailed carriage studies suggest that most cases occur within 2-7 days of contact with the carrier. The likelihood of someone becoming ill after this time is estimated to be less than 1 in 10,000.

As always, you should nevertheless remain vigilant and seek urgent medical treatment if you suspect something is wrong.

The treatment people receive in hospital destroys the bacterium that causes meningitis and septicaemia, so once the person has returned home, there will be no risk to close contacts.

Will I need antibiotics if someone I know is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis?

If someone has suffered from meningitis then those who are seen to be at risk will be contacted by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and given a course of antibiotics. If you are not contacted by the HPA then you are not seen to be at risk, however if you are still concerned contact your GP and always be vigilant for the symptoms.

If someone has suffered from the disease, can they catch it again?

Yes. Meningitis and septicaemia are rare, but if you have suffered from the disease once, it does not stop you from suffering from it again.

What do I do if I think my child is showing the symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, but my GP tells me otherwise?

Trust your instincts and be persistent - you know your child. If you have any doubt at all, go directly to your nearest Casualty Unit.

What causes the meningococcal septicaemia rash?

A rash of tiny red 'pin prick' spots is caused by blood vessels leaking and little blood blisters appearing under the skin. As the illness progresses and more damage is caused to the blood vessels, the spots can develop rapidly into purple bruising.

To identify the rash, press a glass tumbler against the spots, if they do not fade, it could be meningococcal septicaemia. If this is the case, go directly to your GP of nearest Casualty Unit.

If the rash does fade when carrying out the tumbler test, what should I do?

It is essential that you remain vigilant and follow your instincts. In the majority of cases, with babies and young children in particular, you will notice a rapid detorioration in their condition. If you are at all concerned, seek medical advice urgently.

Do babies show the same symptoms as children and adults?

Parents of babies with meningitis and/or meningococcal septicaemia often notice their child is less alert and active than usual. Other symptoms in toddlers/babies may include:

Tense or bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the baby's head.
Blotchy skin, quite pale or turning blue.
Refusing to feed.
High pitched/moaning cry or irritable, especially when held.

These symptoms can accompany any of the main symptoms which can be shown by children and adults.

Do symptoms appear in a particular order?

No. Not everyone gets all the symptoms and they can appear in any order. By knowing the common symptoms of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia you could save someone's life.

Are meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia treatable?

Yes. Both diseases are treatable with antibiotics if they are caught early enough. But both diseases can be fatal if not recognised in time.

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

Vaccines are available to protect those at risk against certain types of bacterial meningitis. Hib, Meninigitis C, and Pneumococcal vaccinations are offered as part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme in the UK. However, there is still no vaccine to protect against all strains of the disease, including the most common - Meningitis B, so it is vital to stay vigilant and be aware of the symptoms. Meningitis UK has a single focus to fund research to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis. Find out more about vaccinations and meningitis on our vaccines page.

Meningitis