Meningitis stories

Diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia as a baby, Leo has been left with learning difficulties, and still faces further operations on his legs 17 years later

What started as a common cold for Kieran quickly became something much more serious - pneumococcal meningitis. Although the initial illness has passed, Kieran and his family have been left fighting a seemingly never-ending battle with after-effects

Connie was originally diagnosed with a viral infection, as despite her symptoms of meningitis she had no rash. At mum Michelle's insistence, further tests revealed she was suffering from bacterial meningitis

Ann Marie, Stuart and daughters Zoe and Eilidh were on a family holiday in France when Eilidh became ill with bacterial MenW meningitis and tragically passed away, aged 8 years old

As the only visitor allowed when her youngest daughter Primrose was rushed to A&E at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, Liana was told to prepare for the worst

October 2021 will mark 20 years since Abi contracted meningococcal septicaemia, leaving her with an acquired brain injury and painful mobility. Her mission now is to normalise mobility aids and inspire others to be proud of theirs too

Kayleigh Ann was 10 years old when she contracted meningococcal septicaemia, resulting in multiple surgeries; however, she counts herself lucky to still be here

In 1974, when the medical landscape was very different to today, Vera and Rob were told that their young son Ian's life support had been turned off after a short battle with meningococcal septicaemia

Connie was feverish and lethargic, but when her fontanelle started bulging, her parents knew they had to get help - quickly

Margaret shares the heartbreaking story of her nephew Calum, who passed away aged 12 having just returned to school after a flu virus

Mum Arlene could only watch in horror as a purple rash spread over 5-year-old Leon's body as he battled MenB and septicaemia

Tim, from Totterdown in Bristol, was one of the children caught up in the original meningitis outbreak in Stroud in the 1980s that saw the birth of Meningitis Now. He tells his story here

Kevin contracted viral meningitis as a child, but wasn't treated until damage to his optic nerve had been done. He now co-hosts a podcast encouraging men to talk about their struggles in life

Phoebe contracted bacterial meningitis at just three years old; luckily mum Charlotte trusted her instinct that something wasn't right

Alfie has made a good recovery after being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, but the speed at which he became unwell was dramatic, as mum Stephanie recounts

When Holly became unwell, mum Rachel recognised some of the signs and symptoms from when she had had bacterial meningitis before

After contracting meningococcal septicaemia as a 2-year-old, Xavier, now 22, has been left with severe after-effects. Mum Lynn tells their story

Laura and John weren't initially concerned when Sadie picked up an ear infection, but when her temperature wouldn't come down and she started vomiting they knew something was wrong

Ten minutes after returning home, Nadia was rushing daughter Ebonie to hospital where she was treated for bacterial meningitis. While she pulled through, Ebonie has been left with complex after-effects

Eight months after having to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her son's life support machine, mum Katie recounts the events leading to her loss of four year old Enzo