Meningitis Now was founded in Gloucestershire in 1986 by a group of parents affected by meningitis. Since then, the charity has fought meningitis relentlessly in the UK by funding research, raising awareness and providing support for people whose lives have been changed by meningitis.

Our vision is a truly hopeful one – a future where nobody in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives. To achieve this, we:

• Provide emotional and practical support for people in the UK affected by meningitis.
• Raise awareness of meningitis symptoms and the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Fund research into vaccines, treatment, diagnosis and the impact of meningitis.
• Provide a powerful, united voice for people who know how devastating meningitis can be.

The Need for our Work

Meningitis can be fatal within hours of infection. One in ten people who contract bacterial meningitis will die, leaving their families coping with the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Between 30% and 50% of those who survive bacterial meningitis will be left with long-term after-effects, including hearing loss, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, chronic pain, vision problems and amputations.

Viral meningitis is often dismissed as less serious. But research and our experience show that it can leave people with long-term pain, memory loss, fatigue, depression, anxiety and hearing difficulties. As many as half a million people in the UK have experienced meningitis and there continues to be an estimated 22 new cases each day in the UK.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by bacteria and viruses. It can strike quickly and kill within hours. Some bacteria that cause meningitis can cause septicaemia (also referred to as sepsis or blood poisoning) which means that meningitis and septicaemia frequently occur at the same time. Meningitis is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone, of any age. However, under-fives are most at risk, followed by young people aged 15-24 years and people over 65. Vaccines prevent meningitis but existing vaccines do not protect against all types.

For more information visit www.meningitisnow.org or call our helpline on 0808 80 10 388

Meningitis Now,
Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland),
Registered address: Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ