If bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can travel to the brain and spinal cord causing acute bacterial meningitis which can be come life-threatening very quickly.

Bacterial Meningitis can also directly infect the meninges via an ear or sinus infection, or trauma such as a skull fracture, or rarely surgery.

• The average incubation period is 4 days but can range between 2 and 10 days⁵.
• Rapid hospital admission and urgent treatment with antibiotics is required.

Some bacteria can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can quickly develop into sepsis, with the body’s immune system overreacting to the infection and damaging the bodies own tissues and organs.

It can affect any age group, but more common in : 
•    Babies and young children
•    People with compromised immune systems
•    Teenagers and young people are also at increased risk, particularly during the first year at university

Many strains of bacteria can cause meningitis,  including : 
1.    Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
2.    Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) 
 
Meningococcal meningitis is the most common cause affecting around 1,200 people in the UK every year4

Many people who develop meningitis will make a full recovery, but some may suffer after effects such as 
–    Memory loss
–    Behavioural and emotional problems
–    Loss of hearing and / or sight 
–    Acquired brain injury