What is meningitis and is it contagious? Signs and symptoms

It’s an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges) but if it’s not treated quickly, meningitis can be “very serious”.

It can also cause “life-threatening” sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves, according to the NHS.

Is meningitis contagious? How it spreads

Health experts have outlined that meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

The NHS states that bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing
• coughing
• kissing

The NHS adds: “Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

“It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.”

What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?

Some meningitis symptoms can develop suddenly and include:

• a high temperature (fever)
• being sick
• a headache
• a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)

It’s important to note that these symptoms can appear in any order and you do not always get all the symptoms.

Have you had a meningitis vaccination? (Image: ILARIA PANNETTA/Getty)

What vaccines are available for meningitis?

There are various vaccinations that can offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis, such as:

• MenB vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year
• 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to children at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months
• pneumococcal vaccine – 2 doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
• MMRV vaccine – offered to children at 12 months and 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers and “fresher” students going to university for the first time

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The NHS urges: “Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

“Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops.

“Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.”

You should call NHS 111 for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.