Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)^1,2

Meningitis means inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. There are many different causes of meningitis but the most common causes in the UK are bacteria and viruses. Meningitis can be particularly dangerous for babies because they have an immature immune system which can be quickly overwhelmed by infection.

For more information take a look at the Help protect your family page.

Teenagers start to mix together more as they develop into young adults which makes them more likely to share and spread their germs and bugs. Many teenagers harmlessly carry the bacteria that cause meningitis in the back of their nose and throat. However these bacteria can be passed on to others who may be more susceptible. These teenagers may then develop bacterial meningitis.

For more information take a look at the Help protect your family page.

Meningitis can be caused by lots of different things but bacterial and viral infections are the most common causes. If a person has no natural immunity to the types of bacteria that cause meningitis, they can catch it from someone who may be carrying bacteria harmlessly in their nose and throat. Bacterial meningitis is normally transmitted person-to-person, e.g. through close contact like sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing drinks and utensils.

For more information take a look at the Help protect your family page.

Signs and symptoms can be different depending on a person's age - for example symptoms can be different in babies versus teenagers - and they can appear in any order or some not at all.

Early signs are similar across all age groups and include: fever, fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, muscle pain and headache.

Later symptoms in babies and toddlers include: unusual crying, rapid breathing or grunting, tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head), moaning, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, convulsions / seizures, pale blotchy skin, spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure (this can be a sign of sepsis which is blood poisoning), refusing food, drowsy, floppy, unresponsive.

For more information take a look at the Know the symptoms page.

Meningitis can occur with or without sepsis. Do not wait for a rash that does not fade under pressure; this can be a sign of meningococcal sepsis, which can be fatal.

Call 999 for an ambulance if you think you or someone you know might have meningitis.

Treatment will depend on the type of meningitis a person has. For example, if it is caused by bacteria this will be urgently treated in hospital with intravenous (into a vein) antibiotics.

There is no single vaccine that protects against all causes of meningitis. The NHS provide a schedule of vaccines for different diseases and these are given to babies, older children (in school or local surgery as part of the school age immunisation service) and adults at a local surgery. Some of these vaccines help protect against certain groups of meningitis bacteria. However, the schedule does change over time as different vaccines become available. Not all age groups are included when different vaccines are added to the schedule and vaccines may be available privately to those who want them. To make sure you and your family have received all age-appropriate vaccines available on the schedule, please check with your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or pharmacist)

For more information take a look at the Help protect your family page.

Currently at school or local surgery as part of the school age immunisation service, children aged 13 to 15 receive an ACWY meningitis vaccination but this doesn't cover all the different groups. Other vaccines against meningitis-causing bacteria are available and you should check with your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or pharmacist).

For more information take a look at the Help protect your family page.

The length of protection is different depending on the vaccines given. Vaccines are continuously studied to understand their duration of protection and they are monitored for their effectiveness - speak to your doctor if you would like more information.