Meningococcal Disease -Back to top
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection. It is a term used to describe two major illnesses – meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). These can occur on their own or more commonly both together. It can strike at any age, but most cases occur in babies and young children. The next most vulnerable group are teenagers and young adults.
Most people will make a good recovery but meningococcal disease requires quick medical treatment, as around 7% of cases will result in death and 15% of those affected can be left with severe and disabling after-effects.
You can download our fact sheet for more information on meningoccal disease here Meningococcal Disease
Pneumococcal Meningitis Back to top
Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection. Most cases occur in babies and young children under 18 months of age and from the age of 60 years onwards, the incidence increases with increasing age.. Most people will make a good recovery but pneumococcal meningitis requires quick medical treatment, as around 20% of cases will result in death and 25% of those affected can be left with severe and disabling after-effects. However, a new vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease has been added to the routine immunisation schedule since September 2008.
You can download our fact sheet for more information on pneumococcal disease here Pneumococcal Meningitis
Hib Back to top
Hib meningitis is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b. This type of meningitis is usually seen in babies and children under the age of four.
The introduction of a Hib vaccine in Ireland in 1992 has significantly reduced the number of cases and this type of meningitis is now rarely seen.For more information on Hib meningitis, please call our 24-hour helpline on 1800 523 196
TB Back to top
The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis usually begins by infecting the lungs, but in about 2% of cases the bacteria travel via the bloodstream to the meninges and cause TB meningitis. It develops much more slowly than other bacterial forms of meningitis and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
You can download our fact sheet for more information on TB meningitis here TB Meningitis
Neonatal Back to top
Some forms of meningitis particularly affect new-born babies. The most common causes are group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and E.coli bacteria. Although these types of meningitis are rare, fatality rates can be as high as 20%. The risks are higher for premature babies, or those born after a long or difficult labour.
For more information on neonatal meningitis, please call our 24-hour helpline on 1800 523 196
Fungal Back to top
Some fungi can occasionally cause meningitis, but the disease is very rare. It usually occurs when the immune system has been affected by disease, e.g. HIV infection, or by drug therapy. Fungal meningitis often develops slowly and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans are examples of fungi that can cause meningitis.
For more information on fungal meningitis, please call our 24-hour helpline on 1800 523 196
Viral Back to top
Viral meningitis is usually a mild disease but it can make people very unwell. Many thousands of cases occur each year, mostly affecting babies and children. Although most people will make a full recovery some are left with serious and debilitating after-effects.
You can download our fact sheet for more information on viral meningitis here Viral Meningitis
Click on the Adobe icon to get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat PDF reader 