Meningitis is one of the biggest fears of all parents. The early symptoms of meningitis are often
confused with the flu or a more common virus, which can unfortunately make diagnosing meningitis
and septicaemia very difficult.
 
In the UK, around 3,400 people are affected by meningitis each year.  1 in 10 victims lose their lives
with infants and adolescents particularly susceptible to contracting meningitis. Babies in the first
year of life are the most vulnerable, with it killing more UK children under the age of five than any
other infectious disease.
 
What are meningitis and septicaemia?
 
Meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that can kill in hours.  Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.

Common causes
There are many different causes of meningitis but the two most common organisms are viral and bacterial.
    •    Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening.
    •    Viral meningitis is rarely life-threatening, but can leave you with lifelong after-effects.
    •    All causes of meningitis are serious and need medical attention.
    •    Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time, however there are at risk groups.
    •    Meningitis can strike quickly and without warning, so urgent medical attention is essential.
    •    Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis, and until we have vaccines to prevent all types you need to know the signs and symptoms to look out for and the action to take.
    •    Most people will make a good recovery, but some will suffer life-long after-effects and complications

Babies and young children are the most at risk group for meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia as they cannot easily fight infection because their immune system is not yet fully developed, they can’t tell you how they are feeling and can get a lot worse very quickly. Knowing meningitis signs and symptoms, trusting your instincts and getting medical help immediately can save lives.

What is the risk to my baby?

Most babies have natural resistance to these diseases. Meningitis vaccines give excellent protection but can't prevent all forms of meningitis and septicaemia. Although there are three types of meningitis and septicaemia (Hib, Pneumococcal and Men C ) currently covered by the national Childhood Immunisation Schedule, many parents are not aware that their children are not protected against all strains of the diseases. There is currently no vaccine for meningococcal Group B disease (MenB) which is responsible for the majority of cases, around five cases of MenB a day in the UK.  Neonatal forms of the disease are also not vaccine preventable.

What should I do if I am worried about my baby?

Trust your instincts. If you think your baby has meningitis or septicaemia get medical help immediately from your GP, or go to the nearest hospital A & E. Tell them you are worried it could be meningitis or septicaemia.

Mette Mitchell from London whose daughter Miko survived meningitis B when she was just six months old said, “Nothing could have prepared me for the horror of seeing Miko suffer from bacterial meningitis and not knowing whether she would live or die. Thanks to early treatment her life was saved, but every time I hug her now I am reminded that we could so easily have lost her.”

For more information visit the Meningitis Research Foundation website on www.meningitis.org or call their 24 hour freefone helpline on 080 8800 3344 (UK) or 1800 41 33 44 (Republic of Ireland)

Last Modified: 09/01/2012