Meningitis and septicaemia

This factsheet is for people who have meningitis or septicaemia, or who would like information about it. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can sometimes cause blood poisoning called septicaemia. Septicaemia may also be caused by other infections in your body, including infections in your skin and lungs. Meningitis and septicaemia can happen separately but theyre often found together.

About meningitis and septicaemia Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia Complications of meningitis and septicaemia Causes of meningitis and septicaemia Diagnosis of meningitis and septicaemia Treatment of meningitis and septicaemia Prevention of meningitis and septicaemia Animation: How bacterial vaccines work

About meningitis and septicaemia

Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, rarely by a fungal infection. Everybody carries bacteria and viruses in their nose and throat, which can be spread through close contact, coughs and sneezes. Usually these are harmless, but occasionally, they can get into the brain and cause meningitis. Some types of meningitis are mild, others can be much more serious and, in some cases, lifethreatening. Although you can catch meningitis at any age, children under the age of four are most at risk, especially from a severe form of bacterial meningitis called meningococcal meningitis. The next age group most at risk are teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19. Bacterial meningitis sometimes causes a type of blood poisoning called septicaemia. This happens if bacteria enter your bloodstream and the rest of your body and multiply in large numbers. Septicaemia is a serious, life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia

It can be difficult to recognise meningitis because at first the symptoms can be like those of other illnesses such as flu. However, you should get urgent medical help if you suspect that you or someone else has meningitis. The symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can develop very quickly, over a few hours.

Meningitis symptoms

The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis are similar, although viral meningitis is generally much milder. Symptoms can appear in any order, and may include some, but not necessarily all of the symptoms listed below. When you first become ill, your symptoms may include general flu-like symptoms, such as:

fever feeling sick or vomiting, and loss of appetite headache muscle ache or joint pain lack of energy

Illness can progress quickly to include symptoms that are more specific to meningitis, such as:

stiffness in your neck sensitivity to bright lights confusion fits (seizures) a rash (anywhere on your body) severe arm or leg pain