Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal meningitis – the facts

• There are around 200 reported cases of pneumococcal meningitis each year in the UK
  
• Most cases occur in babies and young children under 18 months of age
  
• The elderly and people with conditions that affect their immune systems are also at increased risk
  
• Approximately 15% of cases will result in death
  
• Although most people will make a good recovery, 25% of those who survive pneumococcal meningitis can be left with severe and disabling after-effects
  
• There are vaccines available in the UK routine immunisation schedule to help prevent pneumococcal disease in the UK

Download our pneumococcal fact sheet

How pneumococcal meningitis is caused

Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae. There are over 90 strains (or serotypes), but only a minority commonly cause disease.

• Pneumococcal bacteria can be carried harmlessly in the back of the throat by both adults and children
  
• Virtually all children will become carriers at one time or another. Carriage of bacteria helps us to build natural immunity
  
• Bacteria are passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing
  
• When the pneumococcus invades, it can overcome the body’s defences and lead to infection 
  
• Most of the bacteria are transferred to the meninges via the bloodstream
  
• When the bacteria infect the meninges, the blood vessels in the lining of the brain are damaged
  
• This allows the bacteria to break through and infect the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The meninges then become inflamed and pressure around the brain can cause nerve damage
  
• Pneumococcal meningitis may occur following head injury and damage to the meninges; on rare occasions this may be recurrent
  
• The pneumococcus can also cause other serious infections such as pneumonia, blood poisoning and septic arthritis, and less serious infections such as otitis media, glue ear and sinusitis. Together these are known as pneumococcal disease or pneumococcal infection

How is pneumococcal meningitis treated?

Pneumococcal meningitis requires rapid admission to hospital and urgent treatment with antibiotics. If treated promptly, it is less likely to become life threatening. 

Is meningitis contagious?

Pneumococcal meningitis is not considered to be contagious. Therefore, close contact with someone who has the illness poses no increased risk of infection and there is little chance of a second related case occurring. 

After-effects

Pneumococcal meningitis can leave people with after-effects, including:

• Loss of hearing 
  
• Loss of sight 
  
• Acquired brain injury 
  
• Behavioural and emotional problems
• Memory loss 
  

Can pneumococcal meningitis be prevented?

There are vaccines available to help protect against pneumococcal meningitis, find out more here.

Been affected by pneumococcal meningitis?

Don’t face meningitis alone. Contact our helpline on 0808 80 10 388 to speak to our experienced staff. You can access our free support or ask us any questions. Whatever your experience, whenever it was, please get in touch. Our support is for life.