This website has been developed by GSK in partnership with Meningitis Now, Meningitis Research Foundation and A Life for a Cure and is funded by GSK. It is intended for UK members of the public.
There are 12 different groups of the meningitis bacterium. Six of these - groups A, B, C, W, X and Y cause most of the disease cases worldwide. The most common in the UK are B, C, W and Y.2
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (sepsis) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.1
Read more about meningitis and how you can help protect yourself and your children below.
Up to 1 in 4 teenagers aged 15-19 years old carry the meningococcal bacteria and could spread the disease to others, however, carriage and spreading is lower in babies and young children.5,9,10
The bacteria responsible for spreading bacterial meningitis do not spread as easily as infections like flu but close family members and close friends of someone with meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria are at increased risk of picking up the infection. You may get ill after picking up the infection, but it is much more usual not to become ill.11
Transmission of meningitis usually requires either frequent or prolonged close contact. There are many ways to protect you and your family from bacteria that cause meningitis. Certain vaccines are available for free on the NHS,1,10 however, even if you've had one meningitis vaccine, you may still be missing protection from certain types.
Knowing the symptoms of meningitis is essential because acting fast may help to reduce the life-changing impact of this potentially deadly disease. It's also important to know how to recognise sepsis (blood poisoning) as this can also happen alongside meningitis.
Click below to find out more about the symptoms of meningitis.
Seeking answers about meningitis? Our comprehensive FAQ section is here to help. Whether you're curious about prevention, symptoms, or treatments, we've got you covered.
Meningitis can be daunting, but understanding it shouldn't be. Dive into our FAQs to learn more about this condition and ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
NHS Meningitis website: Overview; Symptoms; Causes; Complications. Accessed November 2024.
UKHSA Green Book Chapter 22: Meningococcal. 2022.
UKHSA Laboratory confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal infection in England: July to September 2022/October to December 2022.
UKHSA Invasive meningococcal disease in England: annual laboratory confirmed reports for epidemiological year 2022 to 2023.
OVG Vaccine Knowledge website: Meningococcal disease. Accessed November 2024.
Viner RM, et al. Lancet Neurol. 2012 Sep;11(9):774-83.
PHE Guidance for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK. 2019.
Meningitis Research Foundation website: Are you at risk of meningitis? Accessed November 2024.
Christensen H, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2010 Dec;10(12):853-61.
Meningitis Now website: Meningitis symptoms in teenagers and young people. Accessed November 2024.
Meningitis Research Foundation website: Blog post: How does meningitis spread? Accessed November 2024.
NHS Inform Meningitis website: Causes of meningitis. Accessed November 2024.
