Meningitis stories

Laura still suffers from debilitating migraines a year after contracting viral meningitis, but she is taking recovery one day at a time

Lel's recent experience of bacterial meningitis is a timely reminder of us all to keep meningitis in mind

Ayesha was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis when she was 17. She has been left with a number of after-effects. Despite this she is not letting it stop her achieving her goals.

Tammy contracted meningococcal (meningitis) Y at age 32, she suffered life-changing after-effects, but has come out fighting.

Lynne was diagnosed with viral meningitis last year, after she suffered a blinding headache, lost her balance and collapsed. Thankfully, with support from Meningitis Now, she is making a good recovery

Imogen had a severe headache and was slurring her speech. She rang her mum, who insisted she phone 111 before rushing round to take her to A&E, where meningitis was diagnosed

When Rebecca's migraine medication didn't touch the severe headache she had, she knew something wasn't right. Her GP sent her to A&E, where she was diagnosed with viral meningitis

Anita's dad Barry was 74 when he suddenly became ill with meningococcal septicaemia, leaving him with deafness, amputations, limited vision and paralysis

10 minutes after leaving hospital with a diagnosis of cluster headaches, Thomas had a seizure caused by what turned out to be bacterial meningitis

If Ellamae hadn't returned home after attending a funeral, she would never have found brother Harrison - who had collapsed - in time to save him

Mark contracted bacterial meningitis twice – and has now thanked Meningitis Now for the support he was given to help him on his road to recovery

On the morning of Jackie's 40th birthday, she was very unwell - shivering, feeling sick and with a high temperature. Luckily, doctors reacted quickly; daughter Rosie tells her story

Maria thought her headache was a result of treatment for an existing medical condition, but as her symptoms worsened she knew something was wrong

Two years ago, Gemma was diagnosed with viral meningitis after flu-like symptoms became more severe. Read her story

After spending five days in a coma, Lindsey has been left with no hearing in her left ear after contracting meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia

Halle was rushed to hospital by her fiancé in January 2019; she had contracted bacterial meningitis. She showed no symptoms and despite being rushed to hospital didn’t regain consciousness

Joanne was 29 when she contracted meningitis in 2009; now, with coping techniques and medication, she is able to manage her after-effects

Patricia misses her son all the time - but especially at Christmas - after he died of meningococcal septicaemia in 1998

On the tenth anniversary of the loss of husband Af to pneumococcal meningitis, Caroline shares her heartbreaking story

Nicola was pregnant when she became ill. She had a high fever, an aversion to lights, vomiting, a headache, stiff neck and achy limbs – all symptoms of meningitis.