What is meningitis?
What is septicaemia?
What causes meningitis?
Who gets meningitis and how common is it?
What are the common symptoms of meningitis?
What are the symptoms of septicaemia?
What should I do if I suspect a patient has symptoms of meningitis?
What happens if meningitis or septicaemia is not treated?
What are the treatment options for meningitis and septicaemia?
Are meningitis and septicaemia preventable?
Do measles cause meningitis?

What is meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, layers that surround the brain and spinal cord which protect the brain from injury and infection.

What is septicaemia?
Septicaemia is an infection of the blood. Bacteria in the blood multiply and release toxins that cause significant damage to the body.

What causes meningitis?
There are a number of different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis. In the UK the two most common forms of bacterial meningitis are meningococcal meningitis (caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis) and pneumococcal meningitis (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae). Both types of bacteria can also cause septicaemia.

Viruses which can lead to viral meningitis include enteroviruses (found in the lining of the intestines), herpes, measles and mumps. Following the introduction of the MMR vaccine, mumps and measles are rarely a cause of viral meningitis although achieving high vaccination coverage in the community is essential to maintaining this situation.

Who gets meningitis and how common is it?
Anyone can get meningitis. However it is more common in infants and young children under the age of 18 months, as their immune systems are not yet fully developed. It is also more common in young people between 14 and 24 as well as the elderly. Those with weakened immune systems and those with chronic diseases are also at increased risk.

What are the common symptoms of meningitis?
Symptoms may differ according to age. However the most common symptoms include severe headaches, dislike of bright lights (photophobia) and neck stiffness (which is less common in young children). Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, fever, confusion and drowsiness, rash and seizures.

What are the symptoms of septicaemia?
Those with septicemia may have limb and/or joint pain, cold hands and feet and pale or mottled skin. A non-blanching rash (see Tumbler Test*) is also an indication of possible septicaemia. Those with septicemia can also have symptoms associated with meningitis and there can be an overlap of symptoms between septicaemia and meningitis.

What should I do if I suspect someone has symptoms of meningitis?
If you suspect your patient has meningitis, trust your instincts. Transfer the patient straight to the hospital as an emergency by telephoning 999.

What happens if meningitis or septicaemia is not treated?
If left untreated, bacterial meningitis can result in death or permanent disability. Children who survive meningitis often suffer from mental impairment, epilepsy and hearing problems.

Viral meningitis is generally less serious, and patients usually make a full recovery within two weeks. Septicaemia can lead to significant organ damage or death if left untreated.

What are the treatment options for meningitis and septicaemia?
Treatment of meningitis and septicaemia is a medical emergency. It is a priority to control the infection as soon as possible when this diagnosis is suspected, usually with antibiotics. Treatment then differs, according to the type of infection, but is extremely complicated and requires the support of the multidisciplinary medical team in both the acute infective phase and then the recovery.

Are meningitis and septicaemia preventable?
There are a number of vaccines that protect against many viral and bacterial forms of meningitis and septicaemia. However they are not able to prevent all types and strains of meningitis. A vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis and septicaemia has not yet been developed.

Do measles cause meningitis?
Yes, this is true. Before the introduction of the MMR vaccine, measles, mumps and rubella were quite common diseases, which had serious complications. One of the complications associated with both mumps and measles was meningitis. However, since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, mumps and measles meningitis have been significantly reduced.

Ensuring all eligible children get their MMR vaccine will help to ensure that measles meningitis does not reoccur in the UK.

*Tumbler Test
If someone is ill and gets a rash, do the 'Tumbler Test'.
Check for spots over the whole body.
If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the marks will not fade. You will be able to see the rash through the glass. If this happens get medical advice immediately. It is harder to see on dark skin, so check paler areas. Remember someone who is very ill needs medical help even if they have no rash or a rash that fades.

Click here for further information on ways to help protect your patients against meningitis and septicaemia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.