Meningitis stories

Since losing her legs to meningococcal septicaemia, Rachael has been steadily regaining her sense of purpose and identity with the help of music

Laura's father, who lives in Alicante, has been left paralysed from the neck down after contracting meningitis and septicaemia over two years ago

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

Joanna was not expected to survive when she contracted meningitis and septicaemia; luckily she pulled through, but the disease has left her with lifelong after-effects

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

Chloe had been feeling under the weather, but when her condition worsened it became obvious to mum Rebecca that something was seriously wrong

Logan was 5 months old when he started displaying some signs of meningitis just after the New Year

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

Within a couple of hours, Luca had gone from his usual bouncy self to hot and shivery. Mum Melissa tells their story

Alex was just 2 years old when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 1996. Mum Lisa tells their story

Jordan, from Canvey Island in Essex, showed no signs of meningitis until a rash appeared. Jordan was in intensive care for just over two weeks.

Mason had been a normal, lively 11-month-old the morning of the day he became ill, but he quickly deteriorated as pneumococcal meningitis took a hold

Sarah Lockey, our new Community Fundraiser for the North of England, holds our cause very close to her heart as her daughter Tilly contracted the disease at 15 months old. Here she shares their heart-breaking, yet inspirational story

24-year-old Ashley was on holiday when he became ill with bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, he got the treatment he needed to save his life but he has been left with after-effects

In the time we were there she had two blood transfusions and went into cardiac arrest six times before they told me they could do no more to save my baby

When Helen was a teenager, her family were told to prepare for the worst when she was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia. 21 years on, she is taking on some of our most gruelling challenges

Theresa's mum Irene was 70 years old when she contracted meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Theresa recounts their story here.

I feel like a very lucky person to survive such a serious illness

Mark was just one year old when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2003.

I'm always scared that she could get unwell with meningitis again.

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

Katrina was rushed to hospital where meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia were diagnosed.

Eliza was 10 months old when she contracted bacterial pneumococcal meningitis with septicaemia on the 24th May 2017

Nickie’s young son Lucas, from Normanton in West Yorkshire, contracted meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia when he was just 1 in 2011

When the consultant said meningococcal septicaemia it felt like our lives were falling apart. His rash didn’t develop until he was in PICU

Jeanette, from Sandown in the Isle of Wight, contracted meningococcal septicaemia over 50 years ago when she was 23

Suspecting something more serious Penny took her daughter to A&E. She was right – Bethany had contracted meningococcal septicaemia. She recounts their experience here

They told me they needed to see Aimee within the hour. ‘As you know, she has symptoms of meningitis, it may not be that, but we need to rule it out

Autumn had seemed her normal self all day, until 9pm when she started screaming. Her mum Gemma shares their story, and emphasises the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

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

Julia’s young daughter Isabelle was vomiting and had a temperature. She also had a faint rash.

Claire, from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, fell ill when she was 18 in 1991. She initially had flu-like symptoms but when a ‘blood blister like rash’ appeared

One-year-old George, from Epping in Essex, became ill soon after Christmas during a family break in Brighton. There was no rash but mum Carly trusted her mother’s instinct and rushed him to hospital.

Nicola’s dad Graham contracted meningitis and septicaemia in January 15 years ago. It left him with life-changing after-effects. She recounts their story here

Gwen’s young son Charlie was full of energy and excitement from his birthday party but went downhill quickly. Fortunately Gwen, from Montrose, trusted her instincts and called an ambulance.

Tragic toddler Jazmin was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia on 17 November and sadly just seven hours later she lost her life and passed away at Blackburn General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family

Gemma’s son Ben, from Milton Keynes, complained of feeling ill and a tummy ache and throughout the night was sick. The next morning he went downhill quickly, but an alert doctor suspected meningitis and started treating him.

Initially diagnosed as a viral infection at no point did Olivia develop a rash, but a lumbar puncture confirmed her meningococcal meningitis. Despite after-effects she’s made a strong recovery, as mum Emma recounts.

Hannah, from Coventry in the West Midlands, complained of earache. Her symptoms deteriorated and her parents Liz and Carl took her to the local hospital. But it took a few more hospital visits before Hannah’s illness was finally diagnosed

Emma’s young daughter Ellie, from Great Barr in Birmingham, was very sleepy, had a high temperature and was irritable, fortunately they got there in time and Ellie has made a good recovery from bacterial meningitis

Nurse Sharon raced round to her friend’s house when she called to say she was worried about her son Jayden, who had been taken ill. Despite taking him straight to hospital his meningitis proved too much for him to fight though, and he sadly died

Carl's two year old daughter Naomi Elizabeth contracted meningitis and septicaemia just a week after a work colleague tragically died from the disease

Anna’s Dad was active, fit and healthy before he was struck down suddenly by meningitis. Even now, she finds it difficult to believe he’s gone. She tells their story here

Loving father and grandfather, Gaylord tragically died of pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia in May.

Jay developed a high temperature after a morning out. But when mum Louise, from York, saw two bruise-like marks on his torso later that day and did the glass test, suspecting meningitis, she knew it was time to rush to A&E.

Alison’s baby son Harry, from Addlestone in Surrey, went to bed full of smiles and everything seemed normal. But the next morning things were very different – Harry was floppy, pale and his breathing was very slow. It was clear he needed to go to hospital

Donna’s daughter Evie was usually a happy baby, and the experienced mum, from Carlisle in Cumbria, knew something was wrong when she wasn’t her normal happy self. Even so, she had to persevere to get Evie’s meningitis diagnosed. She tells their story here

Preet's mum, Nish trusted her instincts and sought medical help from their GP leading to a quick diagnosis and treatment for her little boy.

Kerrie’s baby son Ollie had cold-like symptoms, was greyish in colour and feverish, but four visits to the doctors failed to establish the cause. When he became worse Kerrie, from Holywood in County Down, rushed him to hospital

Psychology student, Abigail didn’t realise her sore throat and temperature were the start of her ordeal with meningitis

Smiley eight-month-old Taylor Marshall’s life changed dramatically when he fell ill with meningococcal group w meningitis and septicaemia in April

Young Charlie, from Bury, Lancashire, woke with a high temperature, but mum Rose thought he was just suffering from a bug that was working its way round the family. However, he had contracted meningitis, as mum Rose recounts here

Alison, from Newport in Gwent, shares the story of how her son, Jacob, became ill with MenB and septicaemia and the after-effects with which he is now learning to live

Following the recent petition to increase the use of the MenB vaccine, Lynn wanted to share her story with you to offer support to others

Freya’s life changed forever when she contracted GBS meningitis and septicaemia in 2005, after spending weeks in hospital critically ill with the disease, Freya now suffers a series of after-effects including blindness and cerebral palsy

Meningitis Now supported me emotionally to get over the trauma and devastation of having to deal with a baby with meningitis in the fresh moments after

All Poppy wanted was to be a big sister to her baby brother Noah, but shortly after her dream came true she was struck down with meningitis

Clare’s daughter Orlagh, from Leeds in West Yorkshire, woke with a very high temperature and didn't seem herself

Meningitis has struck Helen’s family twice – once with devastating consequences when it took her sister Sarah’s life and then again last year when her baby daughter Lois contracted viral meningitis at just eight days old

Finn was two-and-a-half years old when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia in June 2011

Vickie’s young daughter Kyra, from Feltham in Middlesex, was a beautiful, happy little girl one day but just two days later meningitis has stolen her life

An unusual cry alerted Gillian Marshall that something was not quite right with her 13-day-old baby girl

Bella had been suffering cold like symptoms but on the 28 December her condition deteriorated as she began vomiting, developing a fever and rapid breathing

At first, Lauren thought her eight-year-old daughter Georgia, from Livingston in West Lothian, was coming down with conjunctivitis

Trembling, a temperature, cold hands and feet and vomiting first alerted Gemma Lessells, of Fife, that there was something very wrong with her little boy, Matthew

It took three visits to hospital before 19-month-old Isla was diagnosed with meningococcal group B meningitis and septicaemia

Heartbroken mum, Lora Allonby, of Cumbria, lost her baby daughter to meningococcal group B meningitis and septicaemia when she was just five days old

A high temperature, lethargy and a grumpy mood alerted mum, Kathleen Burn, of Northumberland, that there was something wrong with her little boy, Stanley

Parents, Rickie and Carly Hicks, of Hertfordshire, were enjoying valuable family time when their six-month-old daughter, Lily, suddenly became ill with fever-like symptoms and breathing with a moan

Faye, of Newcastle upon Tyne, fell ill with meningitis as a four-month-old

A stroke of good fortune meant Amanda’s newborn daughter Maisie was in the right place to be treated quickly when her illness developed

In June 2013, six-month-old Jude spent week in intensive care after he contracted meningococcal septicaemia.

Melanie believed her one-year-old daughter, Demi-Lee, had caught flu when she began to develop a temperature and she seemed sleepy, however, during the night, Demi-Lee began to develop a rash

Meningitis stole young Sam’s life in just four-and-a-half hours. Mum Kat, from Lincoln, recounts their sad story

Originally misdiagnosed with a virus she was later found to have Meningitis B and septicaemia. Fortunately, the cheeky youngster has bounced back. Natalie tells their story.

Devastated mum Jade, 21, of Witham in Essex, held the hand of her precious angel Amelia as she died from meningitis. She tells their sad story here

She was rushed to hospital, where a viral infection was diagnosed. This later changed to meningococcal septicaemia. Fortunately Evie-Mae pulled through with no serious lasting damage, but it was a scary time for the family. Claire tells their story.

Young Kassius avoided the flu that affected his family, but little did any of them guess he was about to be hit with something even worse

Sixteen-year-old Mollie, from Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, felt under the weather on 20 October 2015, but not too ill to go to college

30-year-old Bronwyn, from Cambridge, contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2002 as a teenager

Little Mia, from Louth in Lincolnshire, was just three-weeks-old when she came down with Strep B meningitis

On July 30th 2013 18-month-old Leighton, from Kirkby in Liverpool, was struck down with meningitis and septicaemia

In October 2014, 11-year-old Nathaniel Gate, of Reading, was sent home from school with a high temperature and later began vomiting violently, his parents contacted the out of hours GP

In February 2015, Charlotte Hannibal, now 19, had just returned to university after visiting her family when she suffered a number of flu-like symptoms

Anna Bradshaw, of Coalville, came face-to-face with death when she contracted meningococcal septicaemia and stopped breathing three times while in intensive care

Kayleigh Duncan, 23, of Essex, was celebrating the birth of her baby sister, Rihanna, a time which should have bought joy and celebration to all her family

Brave mum, Kirrily Jones, 24 of Chesterfield, saw her worst nightmare become a reality when her baby boy, Louie, contracted meningitis B and septicaemia in July this year

Tanya Buin, 21 of Manchester, found it hard to cope when she heard the shocking news that her baby sister, Danni, had contracted meningococcal septicaemia in April 2008

Sophie had never been to hospital and thought she was invincible, until meningitis laid her low last December

A high pitched cry alerted mother, Claire Fisk, of Prescot, that something was not right with her eight-month-old son, Harry

Heather Douglas, from Dromore in County Down, thought her 20-month-old daughter Poppy had the symptoms of a cold, but an alert GP spotted something more serious and sent the youngster straight to hospital

Flu-like symptoms were the first sign that one-year-old Chantelle was unwell

Rebecca’s son Duke, of Leyland in Lancashire, woke up happy and smiling and waiting for his morning cuddle. He showed no signs of illness during the day but that night his mother noticed a rash on his body

In the summer of 1976, Mark Cranston was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis

Brave youngster Shae, aged 3, lost his battle to meningitis B and septicaemia just hours after he was rushed to hospital

Jo’s son Harry, then aged 5, from Burgess Hill in West Sussex, fell ill in October 2013. Initially he had a headache, joint pain, a high temperature and was very sleepy

Following an emotional week commemorating the birthday of her late husband, 26-year-old Adrienne Quinnear feared for her life when she contracted bacterial meningitis and septicaemia

When Michelle, from Newry in Northern Ireland, discovered a rash on her baby Ollie’s tummy in mid-March he was whisked straight to hospital

Fourteen-month-old Coby Knighton’s chance of survival was 50:50 as he spent six days in an induced coma.

Sophie, 23, from Reigate in Surrey, counts herself as fortunate to be alive after contracting meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia

Lillie Mai, of Maryport in Cumbria, was a healthy and happy 14-week-old when she developed a runny nose and got the shivers. There were no obvious signs of meningitis and first-time mum Belinda thought she’d just come down with the cold she’d had the week

Five-year-old Bradley contracted meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia six months ago. He also had two mini strokes and was given only a 5% chance of surviving. But the plucky youngster, from Plymouth, has bounced back with no long-term after-effects.

Emma Cowey's son Jamie woke up feeling fine but died within 24 hours of meningitis. Here she tells how her darling baby boy fell victim to the killer disease.

Twenty-month-old Daniel, from Newton Abbot in Devon, woke at 6am with a high temperature. He was sleepy and moaning when he saw his GP later that day, who immediately gave him antibiotics and called an ambulance

Kelly Crisp and Warren Morgan, from Hertfordhire, have been dedicated to fundraising after the devastating brain bug killed their two-year-old daughter Jessica in 2005.

Popular teenager Chris died within 24 hours of showing any sign of being ill. His sudden death sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire.

Bereaved Hull mum Claire Newman has been campaigning tirelessly since Liam was struck down by meningitis aged six.

It was just an ordinary November day with a four-week-old baby for Lily and her mother Billie, but all that was to change dramatically and very quickly when Lily was rushed to hospital with an unusual cry and a burning temperature.

Some people are lucky enough to survive meningitis, but even then the effects can be long-lasting, for both the patient and their family and friends. Philipa Coughlan knows all too well the horror of this disease.

Helen fell desperately ill with the brain bug and it initially left her unable to walk and facing a long recovery period. But the youngster has battled her way back to full health.

Elliott fell ill at just seven weeks old, when a rash covered his body in just four minutes. The drama unfolded on the day of his mum Louisa's work Christmas party. She believes that had she not checked on him after the party then he might have been dead.

Linda Richardson had been out Christmas shopping with her daughter Lisa. The next day the teenager fell ill with meningitis.

Little Ruby Burrell was just 21-months-old when she was struck down by meningitis and died within hours of showing any symptoms.

Little Owain was just 15-months-old when he fell ill, a "horrific" experience which has prompted his family to fundraise for Meningitis Now.

When Pauline Egan's son fell ill with meningitis his condition deteriorated fast.

Manchester Evening News columnist Ray King described his own family's anguish when his granddaughter Isabelle fell ill with one of the deadliest strains of meningitis.

Out of the blue, the 16-year-old’s life changed irrevocably. Sophia contracted meningococcal septicaemia.

Millie, from New Mills in Derbyshire’s High Peak, was a perfectly well and healthy 10 month old baby the day before she became poorly. She went to bed as normal but woke that night at 4am screaming. Mother Sophie takes up the story.

Leo was born six weeks early. He became ill on Christmas Eve and needed surgery for a strangulated hernia. He returned home and all seemed well but, at the end of January when he was 14-weeks-old, he was grizzly and had a high temperature.

It was just after New Year when three-year-old Luka became ill. It started with irritability and a high temperature but quickly progressed from there. Mum Paula, from Richmond in Yorkshire, picks up their story.

Eighteen-year-old student Harriet had been feeling ill for a while but when she collapsed whilst going for a drink of water it was time to call an ambulance.

Nine-month-old Cían, from Craigavon in Armagh, had a high temperature, cried when he was lifted and had cold hands and feet. The out of hours doctor put the symptoms down to teething but 12 hours later mum Caitriona noticed a rash...

Matthew, from Cornwall, was just five and a half months old when he came down with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in April 2007.

When student Saleem Akintoye spent the day in bed with a hangover, no one suspected he was about to die from meningitis

Mattia's mum Aurelie retells of the day her baby was struck down and how much she thanks the quick-thinking doctors for saving her boy's life

Louie was just five months old when he contracted meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in January 2012. He lost both legs as a result, and recently took his first steps in prosthetic limbs.

Riley, now six, contracted meningitis and septicaemia aged one, which left him with multiple amputations and scarring. Here his mum, Bev, tells his story

In December 2010, Bahman Jamalaldini thought he was coming down with a cold. On December 21 he went to bed early and in the early hours of the morning he was vomiting, had diarrhoea, he felt cold and had muscle and joint pain

Lyndon is a Young Ambassador for Meningitis Now. He lost his legs, part of his right arm and the tips of the fingers on his other hand when he contracted meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia when eight and a half months old.

Alison’s eight year old son, Alex, contracted meningococcal septicaemia on her wedding day; within hours Alex had gone from feeling a little ill to being kept alive by a life support machine

Nikki Busby was looking forward to her son Kadyn's first Christmas when the tot was struck down with meningitis. Here heartbroken Nikki shares her story

In March 2013, Noah, Gareth Stephenson’s eight month old son, started to become unwell with lethargy and sickness. Gareth could never have imagined the devastation that would follow, as Noah was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia resu

Steve Dayman can still remember the moment his wife rang him to say their infant son Spencer was ill. More than 32 years later Steve is still fighting to stop more lives being devastated by meningitis.

In October 2012, five-week old Esmé woke up in the morning and was looking very poorly. Her worried mum, Amy, sensed something was seriously wrong, and rushed her to hospital.

In March 2012 Tommy Brown contracted the B strain of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The disease was so ferocious and widespread that he was given only a 5 per cent chance of survival. He defied the odds, but was left with multiple amputations

Teacher Kevin Leaver died from meningococcal septicaemia just hours after being admitted to hospital. Here his wife Lesley tells his story

Determined Charlotte is a little miracle after meningitis almost took her young life in December 2010. Despite losing all four limbs to meningococcal septicaemia, she's facing every challenge head on and is an inspiration to her parents Jenny and Alex

Wendy MacDonald, from Salisbury, was happily married to her husband Duncan for almost nine years when he started having flu-like symptoms in January 2012. Wendy could never have imagined the devastation that would follow.

Emma and her parents were looking forward to taking 10-month-old George on his first holiday abroad. But their trip turned into a nightmare when George became ill and sadly died soon after they arrived in Tunisia

Matt fell ill with meningococcal septicaemia at the age of 20. But the keen photographer fought back to overcome his after-effects of amputations and focus on a career in his chosen field

When Michelle Atkinson started feeling ill at work she thought it was probably flu. But the Bristol mother’s symptoms quickly worsened, leaving her life in danger

Tara’s seven-month-old daughter Amelia Jane Luisa Winfield, from Horsham in West Sussex, had cold-like symptoms, a runny nose, temperature and a loss of appetite. Her GP suggested Nurofen but the symptoms persisted and, when a rash started to appear, Amel

On Christmas Day 2011, one-year-old Mason should have been opening his presents with his family. Instead, Mason’s mum, Lauren, woke to find her son so ill that he had to be taken to hospital

Maz Nolan's partner Clare Streeter tells of how meningitis and septicaemia took Maz within hours. Now she wants to do all she can to raise awareness and tell people not to wait for a rash.

Louise’s son, Cavan, was only a few months old when he became unwell in April 2012. He was later diagnosed with type b meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.

The Dancy family were enjoying a summer break when little Alicja fell ill with a deadly strain of meningococcal septicaemia.

Carli will never forget the day her daughter Khiara fell ill with meningitis. Here she tells how the youngster fought for her life as the deadly bug took hold.

Little Ava grew increasingly ill and kept vomiting. Her mum trusted her instincts and got her to hospital. She spent weeks battling the disease with medical help. Sadly, she lost her toes, but is now doing well and dancing

Kayleigh Bussey knew something was wrong when her daughter Lucie refused a feed. As her daughter became more and more ill she faced every parent's worst nightmare, her daughter had meningitis.

When Andrew Hession fell ill his family thought it was due to the diabetes he'd suffered from since he was a child. But the 21-year-old died within hours from meningitis.

Daniel tells about how he thought he had the flu, but was soon in hospital fighting meningococcal septicaemia, which means he now uses a wheelchair.

Daniel Halford was just 18 when he died from meningitis after complaining of a headache just hours before.

In April 2010, two year-old, Alissa Chowdhury was lying in a hospital bed after losing her legs and right hand after contracting meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.

When Joanna Rigby fell ill at work she thought she was coming down with flu but her condition worsened and she was rushed to hospital with meningitis.

Andy Hall knew something wasn't right with his granddaughter Taylor-Rae when he was babysitting her one weekend. But he had no idea just how ill she would get.

Smiling toddler Layton died suddenly from meningitis on October 27, 2009, aged 16 months.

Little fighter Robbie has captured people's hearts with his bravery after losing both legs to meningococcal septicaemia. They were amputated as he battled back from the brink of death at just 23-months-old.

In October 2007, Helen’s daughter, Jasmine, started to feel ill. Within hours, a rash had covered her body and she would later be diagnosed with the ‘C’ strain of meningococcal meningitis.

On December 10, 2006, Russell and Suzanne Elliott had been out for the day and little baby Liam had his usual sleep in the car on the way home, so he was full of energy by the time the family got back home that evening.

Quentin and Surj Stott's story is sadly one of many tragedies of losing a loved one to meningitis. They were a family of five, who suddenly became four with the loss of Dylan.

From the age of 14, Helen had always wanted to become a nursery nurse and worked hard to secure her qualifications. She qualified in January 2001 but in May of that year, Helen called her parents to say that she was feeling unwell.

Jackie and Ray Finch have raised an amazing £100,000 since their son Martin died.

Ashley was a typical fun-loving mischievous boy who filled the hearts of so many people

Jodie contacted us to share her story, which she has written as part of her health and social care course at college. Here's what she learnt about how ill she was at the age of just six months old.