Scientific advances have helped reduce meningitis rates across the world – but the need for awareness and innovation regarding prevention strategies continues. Here, one teenage patient tells her story – and what she wants others like her to know about the disease.
\nMeningitis occurs when the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. This inflammation can have many different causes but two of the most common are viruses and bacteria.
\nAround 1 in 10 of us carry the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which causes bacterial meningitis, in our nose and throat. However, it’s only when these bacteria break through the throat lining and enter our bloodstream that they cause harm, leading to a disease called invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).
\nInstances of this invasion are relatively uncommon, yet despite this, IMD still affects around 1.2 million people globally each year.
\nIMD can progress rapidly. In around 1 in 6 cases the disease can cause death, sometimes in as little as 24 hours. The most common symptoms include fever, headache and a stiff neck which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, rash, sensitivity to light and confusion.
\nThe disease can affect any age group, but babies and young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies’ immune systems are not fully developed. Adolescents and young adults are also at risk, particularly at key life stages like starting college or university.
","useGreyBackground":false,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"related-read-content","title":"Read related","relatedPage":{"title":"Back to school immunity: vaccination catch-ups are needed to stop the escalation of preventable diseases in children","image":{"src":"/media/fncla5pw/shutterstock_1738679645.jpg?format=webp&v=1dba2eb9e86a4c0","alt":"School children walking outside","darkModeSrc":"/media/fncla5pw/shutterstock_1738679645.jpg?format=webp&quality=50&v=1dba2eb9e86a4c0"},"link":{"text":"child immunity gap vaccination catch up","href":"/en-gb/behind-the-science-magazine/child-immunity-gap-vaccination-catch-up/","openInNewWindowText":null},"label":"Behind the Science magazine","authorName":null}},{"type":"rich-text","text":"A post-COVID pandemic rebound in the number of IMD cases among teenagers has caused concern among healthcare bodies and experts across the world. As people began mixing again after the COVID-19 pandemic, IMD cases rose, including amongst adolescents in the UK, France and New Zealand.
\n“We saw that the social distancing measures used to limit the transmission of COVID-19 had an impact on all infectious diseases spread by airborne transmission,” Professor Chiara Azzari, who works in the department of pediatrics at the Anna Meyer Children's Hospital and at the University of Florence in Italy, says.
\n“However, the bacteria didn’t go away, so when the social distancing measures were relaxed, the bacteria resumed their circulation. It’s no surprise that once we all started mixing again, these diseases started spreading again with spikes in meningitis recorded.”
\n“Rates of invasive meningococcal disease have declined substantially, especially since a new preventive strategy was introduced 10 years ago,” says Anar Andani, Global Medical Lead for Neisseria at GSK.
\n“But we can’t be complacent. We need to keep progressing the science and work with healthcare professionals and the public to improve accessibility to preventive tools for the target populations susceptible to meningococcal disease.”
","useGreyBackground":false,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"rich-text","text":"Kate was 16 when she contracted IMD while working as a camp counsellor in Nova Scotia, Canada.
\n“A couple of days after I’d gotten back from camp, I woke up one morning feeling rundown and unwell,” she says.
\n“It’s not unusual to get ill after being run ragged all summer, so I put it down to post-camp exhaustion and thought I’d just lay down for the day. Fast-forward 12 hours and I wasn’t feeling any better and had started to get purple spots on my legs. At that point my parents made the decision to drive me to the hospital – no mean feat in rural Canada!
\n“When I first arrived at the hospital I was presenting with symptoms like the flu. It wasn’t until I was in the back of an ambulance being taken to a much larger hospital that the tell-tale symptoms of meningitis hit me like a ton of bricks, and I started to get a sore neck and headache.”
\nRecognising the symptoms of IMD – like a stiff neck, fever, and a headache – may help ensure swift treatment and increase a person’s chances of survival. In Kate’s case, this might have been the difference between life and death.
\nEven so, she spent the next week in an induced coma. The Neisseria meningitidis bacteria in her blood were multiplying, releasing poisonous chemicals called endotoxins, which cause an excessive inflammatory reaction in the body. These toxins were damaging Kate’s blood vessels and causing excessive clotting, which led to haemorrhages and damaged her internal organs.
","useGreyBackground":false,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"rich-text","text":"In the later stages, damage to the walls of the blood vessels can also cause a rash of red/purple spots or bruises that do not fade under pressure.
\nNewborns and babies may not have the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies may be slow or inactive, irritable, vomiting, feeding poorly, or have a bulging anterior fontanelle (the soft spot of the skull).
","useGreyBackground":true,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"rich-text","text":"Thanks to the treatment she received, Kate survived. She spent around a month in the hospital, focusing on her recovery and re-learning to walk. She then spent several months at home regaining her strength and managing her wound care for the many scars left by the damage the disease had done to her blood vessels. She also attended various specialist appointments and underwent surgery to remove a part of her toe.
\nProfessor Azzari has seen firsthand the immediate and longer-term impact that IMD can have.
\n“The first hours after the infection are the most crucial, and some infected patients do not survive longer than a couple of days. For those who survive, permanent damage like hearing loss, seizures, visual impairment, co-ordination problems, and psychological issues can be experienced. Septicaemia, an added complication, can also cause skin damage and scarring, amputations, and damage to lung, liver, and kidneys.”
","useGreyBackground":false,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"image","image":{"src":"/media/vj2ja3dm/katepatientimage2.jpg?width=1320&height=660&format=webp&quality=100&v=1dc0872e1482d50","alt":"Patient Kate recovers in bed after contracting IMD","darkModeSrc":"/media/vj2ja3dm/katepatientimage2.jpg?width=1320&height=660&format=webp&quality=50&v=1dc0872e1482d50"},"link":null,"isFullPageWidth":false,"disableRoundedCorners":false,"expandableToAnOverlay":false,"portraitCrop":false,"cropTo75Width":false,"noCrop":false,"caption":"Kate spent weeks recovering from meningitis in hospital.","title":null,"ariaHidden":false,"ariaFlipCard":"Flip card {title}","ariaImageButton":null},{"type":"rich-text","text":"Luckily, Kate made a full recovery. She now works with charities across Canada to raise awareness of the risks of IMD.
\nShe especially wants to help increase awareness among teenagers setting off for camps, college or university.
\n“Our teenage years are such an exciting time. We’re becoming our own person, heading off away from home, and while we may feel invincible – we’re actually at risk of meningitis.”
\nIt’s precisely these life-changing moments that can increase a teenager’s risk of contracting IMD. The Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can spread more easily in crowded places like dorm rooms or assembly halls via coughs and sneezes. Fortunately, innovation in science has given us ways to help prevent the most common strains of the bacteria from causing so much damage.
\nScientists at GSK continue to study Neisseria meningitidis, constantly evolving tools to help prevent infection. As a global leader in meningococcal prevention, GSK’s research and development efforts focus on simplifying meningitis prevention, helping to protect those age groups most at risk.
\n“Significant steps have been made in the last 30 years and the incidence of bacterial meningitis and sepsis has significantly decreased in some regions,” Professor Azzari continues.
\n“However, the pace of innovation must continue to ensure we can protect children, adolescents, and young adults – for whom invasive bacterial infections are still a significant cause of hospitalisation and death.”
\nIn the future, Kate hopes that scientific research combined with increased awareness will mean that people are able to prevent or effectively treat most cases of IMD.
\n“One day I hope I won’t have to talk about meningitis anymore, because everyone will know about the risks and how to protect themselves.
\n“Until then, I know there’s power in me sharing my story. If just one person recognises their symptoms because of it, I’ll be happy.”
\nThis article has been updated and was first published in October 2023.
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Here are the signs to look out for\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"image\":\"https://www.gsk.com/media/k1gjjpmi/katepatientimage1.jpg\"},\"mainEntityOfPage\":\"https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/behind-the-science-magazine/meningitis-cases-rebound-risks-symptoms/\",\"url\":\"https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/behind-the-science-magazine/meningitis-cases-rebound-risks-symptoms/\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T00:00:00+00:00\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Teenagers may feel invincible \\u2013 but we\\u2019re at risk\\u2019: What you need to know about meningitis as post-COVID cases continue to rebound\",\"keywords\":\"Vaccines,Infectious diseases\",\"articleBody\":\"Scientific advances have helped reduce meningitis rates across the world \\u2013 but the need for awareness and innovation regarding prevention strategies continues. Here, one teenage patient tells her story \\u2013 and what she wants others like her to know about the disease.Meningitis occurs when the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. This inflammation can have many different causes but two of the most common are viruses and bacteria.Around 1 in 10 of us carry the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which causes bacterial meningitis, in our nose and throat. However, it\\u2019s only when these bacteria break through the throat lining and enter our bloodstream that they cause harm, leading to a disease called invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).Instances of this invasion are relatively uncommon, yet despite this, IMD still affects around 1.2 million people globally each year.IMD can progress rapidly. In around 1 in 6 cases the disease can cause death, sometimes in as little as 24 hours. The most common symptoms include fever, headache and a stiff neck which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, rash, sensitivity to light and confusion.The disease can affect any age group, but babies and young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies\\u2019 immune systems are not fully developed. Adolescents and young adults are also at risk, particularly at key life stages like starting college or university.A post-COVID pandemic rebound in the number of IMD cases among teenagers has caused concern among healthcare bodies and experts across the world. As people began mixing again after the COVID-19 pandemic, IMD cases rose, including amongst adolescents in the UK, France and New Zealand.\\u201CWe saw that the social distancing measures used to limit the transmission of COVID-19 had an impact on all infectious diseases spread by airborne transmission,\\u201D Professor Chiara Azzari, who works in the department of pediatrics at the Anna Meyer Children\\u0027s Hospital and at the University of Florence in Italy, says.\\u201CHowever, the bacteria didn\\u2019t go away, so when the social distancing measures were relaxed, the bacteria resumed their circulation. It\\u2019s no surprise that once we all started mixing again, these diseases started spreading again with spikes in meningitis recorded.\\u201D\\u201CRates of invasive meningococcal disease have declined substantially, especially since a new preventive strategy was introduced 10 years ago,\\u201D says Anar Andani, Global Medical Lead for Neisseria at GSK.\\u201CBut we can\\u2019t be complacent. We need to keep progressing the science and work with healthcare professionals and the public to improve accessibility to preventive tools for the target populations susceptible to meningococcal disease.\\u201D\\u2018It hit me like a ton of bricks\\u2019Kate was 16 when she contracted IMD while working as a camp counsellor in Nova Scotia, Canada.\\u201CA couple of days after I\\u2019d gotten back from camp, I woke up one morning feeling rundown and unwell,\\u201D she says.\\u201CIt\\u2019s not unusual to get ill after being run ragged all summer, so I put it down to post-camp exhaustion and thought I\\u2019d just lay down for the day. Fast-forward 12 hours and I wasn\\u2019t feeling any better and had started to get purple spots on my legs. At that point my parents made the decision to drive me to the hospital \\u2013 no mean feat in rural Canada!\\u201CWhen I first arrived at the hospital I was presenting with symptoms like the flu. It wasn\\u2019t until I was in the back of an ambulance being taken to a much larger hospital that the tell-tale symptoms of meningitis hit me like a ton of bricks, and I started to get a sore neck and headache.\\u201DRecognising the symptoms of IMD \\u2013 like a stiff neck, fever, and a headache \\u2013 may help ensure swift treatment and increase a person\\u2019s chances of survival. In Kate\\u2019s case, this might have been the difference between life and death.Even so, she spent the next week in an induced coma. The Neisseria meningitidis bacteria in her blood were multiplying, releasing poisonous chemicals called endotoxins, which cause an excessive inflammatory reaction in the body. These toxins were damaging Kate\\u2019s blood vessels and causing excessive clotting, which led to haemorrhages and damaged her internal organs.IMD symptomsThe most common symptoms include:FeverHeadacheStiff neckThere are often additional symptoms, such as:NauseaVomitingPhotophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)Altered mental status (confusion)In the later stages, damage to the walls of the blood vessels can also cause a rash of red/purple spots or bruises that do not fade under pressure.Newborns and babies may not have the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies may be slow or inactive, irritable, vomiting, feeding poorly, or have a bulging anterior fontanelle (the soft spot of the skull).Thanks to the treatment she received, Kate survived. She spent around a month in the hospital, focusing on her recovery and re-learning to walk. She then spent several months at home regaining her strength and managing her wound care for the many scars left by the damage the disease had done to her blood vessels. She also attended various specialist appointments and underwent surgery to remove a part of her toe.Professor Azzari has seen firsthand the immediate and longer-term impact that IMD can have.\\u201CThe first hours after the infection are the most crucial, and some infected patients do not survive longer than a couple of days. For those who survive, permanent damage like hearing loss, seizures, visual impairment, co-ordination problems, and psychological issues can be experienced. Septicaemia, an added complication, can also cause skin damage and scarring, amputations, and damage to lung, liver, and kidneys.\\u201DSignificant progressLuckily, Kate made a full recovery. She now works with charities across Canada to raise awareness of the risks of IMD.She especially wants to help increase awareness among teenagers setting off for camps, college or university.\\u201COur teenage years are such an exciting time. We\\u2019re becoming our own person, heading off away from home, and while we may feel invincible \\u2013 we\\u2019re actually at risk of meningitis.\\u201DIt\\u2019s precisely these life-changing moments that can increase a teenager\\u2019s risk of contracting IMD. The Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can spread more easily in crowded places like dorm rooms or assembly halls via coughs and sneezes. Fortunately, innovation in science has given us ways to help prevent the most common strains of the bacteria from causing so much damage.Scientists at GSK continue to study Neisseria meningitidis, constantly evolving tools to help prevent infection. As a global leader in meningococcal prevention, GSK\\u2019s research and development efforts focus on simplifying meningitis prevention, helping to protect those age groups most at risk.\\u201CSignificant steps have been made in the last 30 years and the incidence of bacterial meningitis and sepsis has significantly decreased in some regions,\\u201D Professor Azzari continues.\\u201CHowever, the pace of innovation must continue to ensure we can protect children, adolescents, and young adults \\u2013 for whom invasive bacterial infections are still a significant cause of hospitalisation and death.\\u201DIn the future, Kate hopes that scientific research combined with increased awareness will mean that people are able to prevent or effectively treat most cases of IMD.\\u201COne day I hope I won\\u2019t have to talk about meningitis anymore, because everyone will know about the risks and how to protect themselves.\\u201CUntil then, I know there\\u2019s power in me sharing my story. If just one person recognises their symptoms because of it, I\\u2019ll be happy.\\u201DThis article has been updated and was first published in October 2023.\",\"articleSection\":\"Behind the Science magazine - Feature\"}"]}}