What causes meningitis and septicaemia?

Meningococcal bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and Ireland.
 
Babies and children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk, but there is a secondary peak of disease amongst teenagers.
 
There are several different groups of meningococcal bacteria that cause disease.  The most common disease causing groups are meningococcal A, B, C, W and Y.  These are commonly referred to as MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW and MenY.
 
In the UK and Ireland, meningococcal vaccines are routinely available for high risk groups that protect against all 5 of the most common disease causing strains.
 
Find out more about meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia

Vist our partnership with the Global Meningococcal Intiative for reports on the picture of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the rest of the world.

Vaccines that protect against Hib meningitis are routinely given to babies in many countries. 
 
Since the Hib vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1992, cases have dropped by over 90%.
 
Find out more about Hib meningitis

Group B Streptococcal (GBS)

This is the main cause of meningitis and septicaemia in newborn babies.

It can be transmitted from mother to baby before or during birth, or through contact with adults who handle the baby.

An estimated 20 –30 % of pregnant women carry GBS bacteria in the bowels or vagina, but 99% of babies born to mothers who carry the bacteria are perfectly healthy.

There is currently no vaccine available that protects against GBS meningitis and septicaemia.  There is a vaccine under development however, and it is hoped that in future women will be able to be immunised in pregnancy to protect newborns from this type of meningitis.

Find out more about GBS

Group A Streptococcal

GAS bacteria are commonly found on the surface of the skin and in the throat.

These bacteria commonly cause mild throat, skin, ear and sinus infections in both adults and children.

More rarely these bacteria cause an invasive infection where they penetrate deeper into the tissues and organs of the body causing more serious disease.

Find out more about GAS

This bacteria is an important cause of meningitis in newborn babies and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk.

E.coli is a much greater problem in developing countries.

Find out more about E.coli meningitis

Listeria meningitis occurs mainly in newborns, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

It can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or labour.

Mothers can become infected with this type of bacteria by eating products contaminated with listeria.  This is why women are advised not to eat certain foods in pregnancy such as pâté, unpastuerised milk and certain types of cheese.

Find out more about listeria meningitis

Salmonella meningitis is rare and mostly affects newborn babies.

Find out more about Salmonella meningitis

This is a rare cause of meningitis.

Diagnosis of TB meningitis can be difficult because the onset of illness is not as sudden as with other types of bacterial meningitis.

Find out more about TB meningitis