Meningitis stories

Having recovered from meningococcal septicaemia aged 2, Luke - now 21 - is raising money and awareness of meningitis

Katie was seven years old when she began to feel unwell on Christmas Eve. Luckily, her mum quickly recognised the symptoms and rushed her to hospital

Conor, one of our Believe & Achievers, has contracted meningitis on three separate occasions in the last seven years, and is encouraging everyone to be aware of their health

Emma didn't suspect meningitis when Poppy fell ill as there was no rash. Luckily, she didn't wait for one to appear before seeking medical help; something that likely saved Poppy's life

Madeleine was only given a 50/50 chance of survival when she broke out in a rash aged 2 years old. Mum Lisa tells her story

Carol tragically lost her three-year-old daughter Akira to meningitis within 24-hours of the signs and symptoms appearing.

Thanks to her dad's quick thinking, 7-year-old Kaylie quickly got the treatment she needed. Kaylie's after-effects have made things tough, but she is determined to fight and live a happy life

Quick-thinking from mum Joanne meant that 2 year old Ruaridh was treated quickly when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia. Joanne tells their story

Ethan's illness started with a "squelching" noise in his ear, but what initially seemed to be an ear infection developed into something much more serious

New Meningitis Now Social Media & Digital Editor Ashley, recounts his personal battle with meningitis when just 4 years-old.

Freddie was 19-months-old when he contracted Group A Step meningitis and encephalitis.

5 year old Archie has taken his first steps just weeks after being struck down with the life-threatening Men B infection.

Joanne’s son Nathan had many meningitis symptoms, but it took a while to diagnose he’d contracted a rare strain - Streptococcus Anginosus

Robert contracted pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia but, thanks to quick treatment from the Royal Berkshire Hospital, made a good recovery

Holly from Wrexham, Flintshire, contracted meningococcal septicaemia when she was five

Ten years after Reuben became seriously ill with meningitis, mum Louise reflects on how the disease has affected him

Bryony did not suspect her 2-year-old son Mason had meningitis. A year on, he still suffers after-effects.

Like many toddlers, 3-year-old Noah had what his parents thought was a tummy bug. He became increasingly worse, until his eagle eyed Dad spotted an unusual mark under his armpit and fearing meningitis, rushed him to hospital.

William had a lumbar puncture and bloods, which revealed he had haemophilus influenza type F and septicaemia, mum Melanie tells the story

Lauren recognised her daughter was declining rapidly and fortunately she was in the right place to get her daughter the treatment she urgently needed when her meningitis was diagnosed