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What is Meningitis? Our Guide to Types, Causes, and Prevention
- Dr Ravi Gowda
- 17 hours ago
- 7 min read
Meningitis is back in the news again with a recent outbreak of 20 cases of meningitis in Kent in the UK. Public health authorities are still investigating the outbreak but the cases are thought to be linked to a local nightclub and sadly, two people have died. The UK health security agency (UKHSA) have declared that all the students have been infected with the meningitis B strain.
In this guide we'll cover:
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis can affect anyone of any age but it's particularly common amongst babies, children and young adults. If you're affected, you can become unwell very quickly with potentially devastating consequences.
What are the Different Types of Meningitis?
Strictly speaking, the term meningitis does not have to be an infection; it can be any inflammation of the protective linings around the brain. Common causes are bacterial and viral meningitis. England had about 380 cases of confirmed invasive meningococcal meningitis in the 2024/2025 season. There are two distinct peaks incidence; the first peak is in very young children and babies with a second peak teenagers age 15 to 19.
Most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) and streptococcus pneumoniae, and tend to occur in winter.
Viral meningitis can also affect anyone, however, it particularly affects young adults or parents who have children. This is because young kids can get infected with a virus called enterovirus and then pass it onto their parents. The seasonal pattern differs in that most cases are in summer and autumn. Other common causes is the herpes simplex virus (the ‘cold sore’ virus) and the chickenpox virus.
But remember you can also get meningitis from mumps and measles, and rarely a fungal infection or even cancer.
What does Meningitis do to the Body?
A surprising fact is that up to 20% of young people carry the meningococcal bacteria in their nasal passages without causing any harm. We're not sure exactly how it invades the body but people have suggested that a cold and sore throat that causes inflammation allows these bacteria to invade the surrounding tissues including the meninges.
If the infection is not treated quickly enough, in some cases, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and can cause invasive meningitis leading to blood poisoning or sepsis. This is when it becomes really serious and you can become very unwell and end up in intensive care. The sepsis can result in a rapid fall in your blood pressure with a decreased blood supply to vital organs and limbs. In my experience as a consultant in infectious diseases, I've seen young people with gangrenous fingers and toes leading to amputation.
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis
The key to saving lives and preventing serious long-term complications in meningitis is early recognition and treatment. You should be alert and recognise the following symptoms:
Fever
Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Rash – it's dark red and doesn't go away when you press a clear glass against the skin. The NHS show what to look for
A dislike of bright light (photophobia)
Vomiting
Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness
Seizures
Please remember, you will not always have all of these symptoms, so you need to have a high index of suspicion. If you're worried please call 999 for an ambulance or your GP urgently, as they will be able to administer potentially life-saving antibiotics before you even get to hospital.
Bacterial vs Viral Meningitis Symptoms
Bacterial meningitis is usually much more serious and life-threatening. Although viral meningitis can hospitalise you and make you unwell, it's not usually serious.
Symptoms can be very similar with headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and fever but you don't usually get the rash in viral meningitis. In reality, you’ll find it difficult to tell the difference and if you suspect meningitis you should seek urgent medical advice. Hospital specialists can then decide based on further tests as to whether the cause is bacterial or viral.
We usually treat bacterial meningitis with antibiotics but viral meningitis is usually treated with analgesics, fluids and rest.
Meningitis Symptoms in Infants and Toddlers for Parents to Look Out for
If you have young babies and toddlers, you might need to look out for slightly different symptoms that suggests something is not right. In addition to the usual symptoms, look out for the following:
They may go off their feeds or have high-pitched inconsolable crying.
Your baby may be difficult to rouse or wake up
Babies are sometimes very stiff with an arched back
You should always look out for a rash but, as we’ve mentioned previously, it's not always present
What to do if you Suspect you, or Someone you Care for, Have Meningitis
First of all be aware of meningitis and the early symptoms we've already mentioned. It's crucial not to dismiss it as a cold or a bit of ‘flu’. I’ve found that a severe, persistent headache, constant vomiting, neck stiffness, a dislike of bright lights and a rash are important differentiators.
These symptoms will help you evaluate the urgency. If you're not sure seek urgent medical advice. You can call a GP urgently or call an ambulance as they will be able to administer urgent life-saving antibiotics on the scene.
How is Meningitis Spread From Person to Person?
The bacteria that cause meningitis usually live in the respiratory passages. This means meningitis is spread in the following ways:
Close contact with affected individuals
Direct contact with respiratory secretions by touching
Droplet spread through coughing and sneezing
Breathing in air laden with bacteria (‘aerosols’)
Sharing personal items such as cups and utensils
How to Prevent Meningitis
The best way to prevent meningitis is through vaccination. The meningitis bacteria is a respiratory organism and so tends to spread in groups or communities that live closer together such as boarding schools, university dorms, army barracks. etc. Take a look at our tips for university students for more information. In an outbreak setting, such as the current UK student outbreak in Kent, preventative antibiotics for close contacts will help reduce the spread of infection.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the most important way of preventing bacterial meningitis. There are two main meningitis vaccinations on the national childhood immunisation schedule in the UK.
The meningitis ACWY vaccine, as the name implies, covers strains A, C, W and Y. This is a single dose normally given to all 14-year-old at school and selected other individuals at high risk. The meningitis ACWY vaccine is also available privately through Health Klinix.
The meningitis B vaccine protects against infection from the B strain. It’s usually given to babies at two and three months and then again after 12 months of age. The vaccine was added to the national immunisation schedule in July 2015 which means that it would not protect our current teenagers and young adults. If you remember from earlier, there is a second peak incidence of meningitis between 15 to 19 years and they remain potentially vulnerable.
Some parents have opted to protect their children from a meningitis B by seeking help from independent vaccination clinics. Health Klinix offers private meningitis B vaccinations.
You can also protect you and your children from other causes of meningitis such as measles and mumps by vaccination and also the chickenpox virus. The childhood immunisation schedule also offers protection against haemophilia influenzae (Hib) and pneumococcus bacteria, both of which can also cause serious, life-threatening meningitis. All adults over the age of 65 are also eligible for pneumococcal vaccination on the NHS, or alternatively any adult can obtain it privately through Health Klinix.
Meningitis Prevention Tips for University Students Living in Dorms
As we discussed already, meningitis outbreaks tend to occur in institutions like universities, boarding schools, army barracks and communal flats with shared facilities. Whilst difficult to stay apart, there are steps that students can take to decrease the risk of meningitis spreading:
If you have a cold or a sore throat please wear a mask
If you're coughing and sneezing make sure you do so by covering your mouth and nose with your arm
Sanitise your hands regularly
Keep utensils thoroughly clean and use separate cups where possible
Most of all, know what symptoms to look for and keep an eye on each other
If you've missed any of your childhood vaccinations such as the meningitis ACWY, your university health Centre can offer you catch up vaccinations
Consider meningitis B vaccination through a private clinic such as Health Klinix
Meningitis Treatment
Once meningitis is suspected, it's of paramount importance to administer early intramuscular or intravenous antibiotics. Healthcare professionals will usually give a penicillin or ceftriaxone. If treatment is delayed and the meningitis progresses to invasive meningitis with sepsis then treatment is much more complex and may require intensive care therapy. This will usually involve fluids, oxygen and sometimes mechanical ventilation of the lungs.
Long-term Complications and Recovery After Meningitis
A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to a more serious invasive meningitis called meningococcal septicaemia. Up to 20% of meningitis survivors will live with serious long-term complications. These include:
Neurological (Most common)
Hearing loss
Seizures/epilepsy from brain scarring and inflammation
Cognitive problems: difficulties with memory, concentration and learning
Physical
Amputation of fingers, toes and limbs
Skin scarring
Organ damage from septicaemia
Psychological
Some individuals can have problems with long-term anxiety and depression
Remember, know the symptoms of meningitis and get treatment early. The best way to prevent meningitis though is through vaccination. If you’d like to book an appointment contact us now.
Frequently Asked Meningitis Questions
Is meningitis contagious after 24 hours of antibiotics?
Once you’ve had 24 hours of antibiotics you’re no longer deemed infectious
How long are you in the hospital for meningitis?
This can vary from a few days, to months if you have severe invasive meningitis
Can people recover from meningitis?
Absolutely! Even with severe invasive meningococcal meningitis 92% people survive but 1 in 5 of these will be left with long term complications
How was the recent meningitis breakout started?
The recent meningitis outbreak in Kent, UK, is thought to have started in young people in a nightclub. They in turn have transmitted the infection to others in the university dorms. As mentioned, such outbreaks do occur in groups of people in close contact but was made worse because this was likely to be an age group that have not received the meningitis B vaccination.
References
Written and Approved by:
Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
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