Meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.
It's usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common and least serious type. Bacterial meningitis is rare but can become very serious if not treated quickly.
Bacterial meningitis can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and lead to permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you think you or your child have meningitis
Trust your instincts and don’t wait until a rash develops.
Phone 111 or speak to your GP practice if you:
- or your child have symptoms that could be meningitis but you’re not sure if it’s anything serious
- think you’ve been exposed to someone with meningitis
If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried, or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you think you or your child have meningitis
Trust your instincts and don’t wait until a rash develops.
Phone 111 or speak to your GP practice if you:
- or your child have symptoms that could be meningitis but you’re not sure if it’s anything serious
- think you’ve been exposed to someone with meningitis
If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried, or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.
Causes
What causes meningitis?
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Several different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, including:
- meningococcal bacteria – there are several different types, called A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z
- pneumococcal bacteria
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria
- enteroviruses – viruses that usually only cause a mild stomach infection
- the mumps virus
- the herpes simplex virus – a virus that usually causes cold sores or genital herpes
How meningitis is spread
The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- sneezing
- coughing
- kissing
- sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes
- close contact with other people
- sharing vapes
The infection is usually spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but aren’t ill themselves.
The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common.
It’s possible to get meningitis more than once.
Diagnosis
If you notice signs of meningitis, you'll usually need to go to hospital for testing, and you may need to stay there for treatment.
Tests in hospital
Doctors may run several tests to confirm the diagnosis and find out whether it's a viral or bacterial infection. These can include:
- a physical examination to check for symptoms of meningitis
- blood tests to look for signs of infection and check for bacteria or viruses
- a lumbar puncture, where a small sample of fluid is taken from the spine and checked for bacteria or viruses
- a CT scan to check for any problems in the brain, such as swelling
Bacterial meningitis can be very serious, so antibiotic treatment will usually begin before the diagnosis is confirmed. If tests later show the cause is viral, the antibiotics will be stopped.
Treatment
Bacterial meningitis almost always needs hospital care. Viral meningitis, on the other hand, tends to improve on its own and can often be managed at home.
Treatment in hospital
Bacterial meningitis must always be treated in hospital, because it can turn serious quickly and needs close monitoring throughout.
Severe cases of viral meningitis may sometimes need hospital care as well.
Treatment usually includes:
- antibiotics given directly into a vein
- fluids given directly into a vein to prevent dehydration
- oxygen through a face mask if there is any difficulty breathing
- steroid medicine, in some cases, to help reduce swelling around the brain
You may need to stay in hospital for a few days, and in certain cases, treatment can continue for several weeks. Even after returning home, it may take some time before you feel fully back to normal. If any complications develop, further treatment and support may be needed.
Treatment at home
If you or your child have a mild case of meningitis and tests show it is caused by a viral infection, you will usually be allowed to go home.
This type of meningitis normally gets better on its own without causing serious problems, and most people start to feel better within 7 to 10 days.
In the meantime, it helps to:
- get plenty of rest
- take painkillers for headache or general body aches
- take anti-sickness (anti-emetic) medicine if there is vomiting
Prevention
Preventing the spread of infection
The risk of someone with meningitis spreading the infection to others is generally low. However, if someone is thought to be at high risk of infection, they may be given a dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
This may include anyone who has been in prolonged close contact with someone who developed meningitis, like:
- people living in the same house
- pupils sharing a dormitory
- university students sharing a hall of residence
- a boyfriend or girlfriend
People who have only had brief contact with someone who developed meningitis won’t usually need to take antibiotics.
Who’s most at risk of meningitis?
Anyone can potentially get meningitis, but it’s more common in:
- babies and young children
- teenagers and young adults
- older people
- people with a weak immune system – for example, those with HIV and those having chemotherapy
You can reduce the risk of getting meningitis by ensuring all your vaccinations are up-to-date.
Vaccinations against meningitis
Meningitis can be caused by a number of different infections, so several vaccinations offer some protection against it.
These vaccines are offered to children and young people as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
The vaccines include:
- Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine
- Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine for young people
- 6-in-1 vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine for babies
- MMRV vaccine
- Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine
Complications
Complications of meningitis
Most people make a full recovery from meningitis. But, it can sometimes cause serious, long-term problems and can be life-threatening.
This is why it’s important to get medical help as soon as possible if you think you or your child have symptoms of meningitis. It’s also why meningitis vaccinations are offered to certain groups.
Complications are much rarer after viral meningitis.
Some of the most common complications associated with meningitis are:
- hearing loss, which may be partial or total – people who have had meningitis will usually have a hearing test after a few weeks to check for any problems
- recurrent seizures (epilepsy)
- problems with memory and concentration
- co-ordination, movement and balance problems
- learning difficulties and behavioural problems
- vision loss, which may be partial or total
- loss of limbs – amputation is sometimes necessary to stop the infection spreading through the body and remove damaged tissue
- bone and joint problems, like arthritis
- kidney problems
Additional treatment and long-term support may be needed if you or your child experience complications of meningitis.
Further support and information
For further support and information about life after meningitis, you may also find it useful to get in touch with organisations, like:
- Meningitis Research Foundation
- Meningitis Now
The images on this page were sourced from dermnetnz.org.
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