| Meningitis is an inflammation of the | | | | bacteria in our noses and throats without |
| membranes around the brain and spinal cord. | | | | becoming ill. The bacteria can be passed |
| It is caused by either a virus or | | | | through kissing, sneezing and coughing. Only |
| bacteria.Viral meningitis is usually mild and | | | | if the bacteria reaches the blood stream does |
| does not require medical | | | | the person contract meningitis and/or |
| | | | septicaemia - most people who get meningitis |
| treatment. Bacterial meningitis however can | | | | will also get septicaemia.Mercifully, |
| be life-threatening and can come on very | | | | meningitis and septicaemia cases are quite |
| quickly. Children under five are most likely | | | | rare. |
| to be affected and sadly some of these will | | | | |
| die.There are several types of bacteria that | | | | However, it is important to know the |
| can cause meningitis, the most common being | | | | symptoms as early treatment is |
| meningococcal bacteria. Most of carry this | | | | vital.SymptomsHigh temperature - above 99. |