Meningitis can turn your world upside down. It can strike quickly and leave people with life-changing disabilities. With this disease, even a matter of minutes can make a difference.
Scroll down to learn more about meningitis and how to take steps to protect your family
Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can strike suddenly - sometimes without warning. It can be very serious if not treated quickly, with the potential to cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia), permanent damage to the brain or nerves, loss of limbs and in some cases, death.
Meningitis can be caused by the entry of bacteria or viruses into the body. 1 in 10 people carry these bacteria in their nose or throat1.
Coughing
Sneezing
Kissing
Sharing Utensils
Meningitis can also cause severe blood poisoning called meningococcal septicaemia and result in lifelong damage. 1 in 3 bacterial meningitis survivors may be left with long-term physical and cognitive disabilities like brain damage, hearing and sight loss2.
There are several types of meningococcal bacteria with the main groups being A, B, C, W, X and Y1.
There are vaccines available to protect against some types but there is no single vaccine to protect against all.
In Ireland, meningococcal Group B and C cause the majority of disease3.
Any of the meningococcal bacteria types can cause fatal disease.
38% of parents in Ireland are not aware of any types of meningococcal bacteria 5.
Many different bacteria can cause meningitis
No single vaccine protects against all causes of bacterial meningitis
Meningococcal bacteria are the most common cause of meningitis in Ireland
Needs urgent treatment as it can be deadly and life-changing
Can lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning)
Main disease-causing groups of meningococcal bacteria:
A, B, C, W, X, Y
Meningitis is a treatable disease and most people who contract it will survive, but in Ireland in 2017, the disease was fatal for 1 in 11 3.
While meningococcal meningitis can infect anyone – babies and children under five are the most at risk3.
Why are babies, toddlers and children at higher risk?
Their immune system (which helps them fight infection) is less developed than older age groups
Teenagers and young people are the second most at risk ages for contracting meningococcal meningitis3.
Why are teenagers and young adults at risk?
They are more likely to have meningococcal bacteria living in the back of their nose and throat. This can be spread through close contact with other teens and young adults with no immunity.
1 IN 4 TEENAGERS AGED 15-19 YEARS OLD ARE MENINGOCOCCAL BACTERIA CARRIERS8.
Despite 99% of parents in Ireland believing that meningitis is a serious condition, awareness of the signs and symptoms remains low4.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognise, and can easily be mistaken for a common cold or virus6. Can you identify the early symptoms? Select all that apply from the list of meningitis symptoms.
Fever
Dislike of bright lights
Vomiting
Seizures
Stiff neck
Headache
Rapid breathing
Confused
Cold hands and feet
Red blotchy rash
Muscle pain
Sleepy/Drowsy
In the early stages, it can be very difficult to tell the signs of meningitis apart from milder diseases and conditions. The symptoms above can appear in any order and some may not appear at all. While the early symptoms are similar for all age groups, there are some additional symptoms to look out for in babies.
Unusual Crying
Refusing Feeding
Drowsy, floppy
Tense/bulging
fontanelle (soft spot)
44% of Irish parents surveyed thought a distinctive rash is the first symptom of meningitis, despite the fact it often appears after other symptoms, or not at all4.
Although a rash, that doesn’t fade under a glass, is often the most well-known symptom, it is a sign that the disease is advancing rapidly. A rash may not appear in all cases so it is crucial not to wait for it to appear before seeking medical attention6.
To identify this rash, press a clear glass firmly against the skin. A fever combined with spots that do not fade under pressure is a medical emergency.
You can reduce the risk of infection in the following ways.
Washing hands carefully and regularly.
Avoid sharing drinks, food, straws, eating utensils and cosmetics with anyone else.
Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
You can reduce the risk of getting meningitis by ensuring all vaccinations are up to date.
While a majority of parents recognise that children under 5 are an at-risk group for meningococcal meningitis, only a quarter of parents believe that 15-19 year olds are also at risk 5.
Vaccines help to prevent meningitis, however, there is no single vaccine to protect against all types or strains. The vaccination schedule in Ireland includes vaccines that help protect against meningitis-causing diseases. Find out if your family is covered below.
The vaccination schedule in Ireland includes vaccines that help protect against meningitis-causing diseases. If your child was born before October 2016 they will receive the following vaccinations that help to protect against meningitis:
Children born before the 1st of October 2016
If your child was born after October 2016 they will receive the following vaccinations that help to protect against meningitis:
Children born after the 1st of October 2016.
To check if your child is as well protected as possible against vaccine-preventable meningitis-causing diseases, please consult your GP or practice nurse.
The vaccination schedule in Ireland includes vaccines that help protect against meningitis-causing diseases. If your child was born after October 2016 they will receive the following vaccinations that help to protect against meningitis:
Children born after the 1st of October 2016
To check if your child is as well protected as possible against vaccine-preventable meningitis-causing diseases, please consult your GP or practice nurse.
Teenagers and adults aren’t covered by Meningitis B vaccination.
Meningitis ACWY was introduced as a routine vaccine in Aug 2015. From September 2015, the ACWY vaccine is offered to teenagers in school when they are around 14 yrs old.
For people not eligible for an NHS vaccination, advice and vaccination is available privately from many pharmacies, private clinics and hospitals.
Meningitis means inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. There are many different causes of meningitis but the most common causes are bacteria and viruses. Meningitis can be particularly dangerous for babies because they have an immature immune system which can be quickly overwhelmed by this infection.
For more information take a look at the What is meningitis section
Teenagers start to mix together more as they develop into young adults which makes them more likely to share and spread their germs and bugs. Many teenagers harmlessly carry the bacteria that causes meningitis in the back of their nose and throat. However this bacteria can be passed on easily to others who may be more susceptible. These teenagers may then develop bacterial meningitis.
For more information take a look at the Who is at risk section
Meningitis can be caused by lots of different things but bacterial and viral infections are the most common causes. If a person has no natural immunity to the types of bacteria that cause meningitis, they can catch it from someone who may be carrying bacteria harmlessly in their nose and throat. Bacterial meningitis is normally transmitted person-to-person, e.g. through close contact like sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing drinks and utensils.
For more information take a look at the What is meningitis section
Signs and symptoms can be different depending on a person’s age – for example symptoms can be different in babies versus teenagers.
Early signs are similar across all age groups and include: fever, fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, muscle pain and headache.
Later symptoms in babies and toddlers (under 5 years) include: unusual crying, rapid breathing or grunting, tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot), unusual cry, moaning, fretful, dislike of being handled, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, convulsions/seizures, pale blotchy skin, spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure (this can be a sign of septicaemia), refusing food, drowsy, floppy, unresponsive.
Later symptoms in children, teenagers and young adults include: dislike of bright lights, convulsions/seizures, drowsy, difficult to wake, stiff neck, confusion and irritability, pale blotchy skin, spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure (this can be a sign of septicaemia).
For more information take a look at the Signs and symptoms section
Do not wait for a rash that does not fade under pressure if someone is displaying other signs and symptoms of meningitis. This type of rash can be a sign of septicaemia (blood poisoning), which normally happens once bacterial meningitis has taken hold.
Seek help immediately if this type of rash appears.
If you see a rash, do the glass test. Press the side of a clear drinking glass firmly onto the rash, spots or bruises. If it is septicaemia, they will not fade.
For more information take a look at the Signs and symptoms section
Treatment will depend on the type of meningitis a person has. For example, if it is caused by bacteria this will be urgently treated in hospital with intravenous (into a vein) antibiotics. If a person has viral meningitis, antibiotics won’t be effective and there is no specific treatment. Patients will need to be kept hydrated, given painkillers and allowed to rest to help them recover.
There is no single vaccine that protects against meningitis. The HSE provides a schedule of vaccines for different diseases and these are given to babies, older children and adults. Some of these vaccines help protect against certain types of meningitis bacteria and others against diseases that can cause meningitis. However, the schedule does change over time as different vaccines become available. Plus, not all age groups are included when different vaccines come on to the schedule and they may be available privately. To make sure you and your family have received all age-appropriate vaccines available, please check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
For more information take a look at the Protect your family section
Currently all students in First year of second level schools are offered a booster dose of the Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine but this doesn’t provide protection against all types of meningococcal meningitis. Other vaccines against meningitis-causing diseases are available and you should check with your doctor or pharmacist.
For more information take a look at the Protect your family section
The length of protection is different depending on the vaccine given. The amount of protection each vaccine can provide has been studied for up to a certain amount of time and protection has been proven up to this timescale. Vaccines are continuously studied and monitored for their effectiveness – speak to your doctor if you would like more information.
Your doctor and nurse will be able to help you with any questions you have about vaccinations. You can also find more information about meningitis, vaccines for different age groups and the National Immunisation Programme on the HSE website.
Now you are aware of the signs and symptoms, you can speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist to discuss how to manage the risk of contracting meningitis.
Disease awareness information provided by GSK Ireland. This website does not constitute personal medical advice, please speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist to discuss how to manage the risk from meningitis.
To report an adverse event, contact us on 1800 244 255 or email us at Ireland.drugsurveillance@gsk.com
