Since 60 per cent of all cases of meningitis take place in the winter months it is important that parents know the signs and symptoms and that if they have concerns for their children they know to seek urgent medical attention

Meningitis

While meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) can affect anyone at any time, children under 16 are the demographic group most at risk from catching the infection. Meningitis is potentially fatal, killing more children under five than any other infectious disease. Survivors can be left with severe, disabling after-effects, including brain damage, deafness and, where septicaemia has occurred, loss of limbs. Every year there are at least 1,500 reported cases in under-16s, although experts estimate that there are actually twice as many cases in UK.

Meningitis in children

Young children and babies are more susceptible to meningitis because their immune systems are immature and their resistance has not fully developed. That said, adults can also get meningitis and it is a common misperception that it is a purely childhood disease. 

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the brain. There are two main types - bacterial and viral.

Bacterial meningitis - Although uncommon it is fatal in approximately one in 10 cases and one in seven survivors are left with a serious disability, such as deafness, brain damage or in the case of septicaemia (blood poisoning) loss of limbs. Cases of bacterial meningitis tend to peak during the winter months, between September and April.

While viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial form, it's not usually as serious or as life-threatening.  That said, it can cause memory loss, concentration problems, headaches, tiredness and depression in those that are unfortunate enough to get it. The symptoms are similar to those associated with bacterial meningitis, for example, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, and a high temperature, but they are usually less severe, and for many patients it can feel like flu. For this reason many cases of viral meningitis go unreported. 

Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics, but it needs to be treated extremely quickly as the illness can cause long-term damage. Urgent hospital treatment is vital.