Meningitis stories

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

When Jill’s newborn baby fell ill in July last year she was told it was “just viral meningitis”. Initially relieved, she started reading up on it and realised there was no “just” about it.

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

Katie thought that there was more to her daughter's illness than just chicken pox; luckily, she trusted her instincts, as Tilly had contracted deadly meningococcal septicaemia

Corey was 20 months old when he became seriously ill with pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis. Now 16, he has attended a number of our support events

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

Kevin contracted viral meningitis as a child, but wasn't treated until damage to his optic nerve had been done. He now co-hosts a podcast encouraging men to talk about their struggles in life

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

Cat was in her first year at uni when she was struck down by viral meningitis. Four years on, with support from Meningitis Now, she is learning to manage her after-effects

Lauren thought that George had picked up a cold, but his condition deteriorated rapidly overnight and he was rushed into High Dependency

Nicola had an instinct that her baby daughter Casey was seriously ill, despite her only symptom being a high temperature. Casey was rushed to hospital where bacterial meningitis was diagnosed.

Joshua contracted bacterial meningitis at just four weeks old. His parents tell his 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.

Amanda thought son Patrick had chicken pox after having his childhood vaccinations, but as his condition worsened he was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia

Phoebe contracted bacterial meningitis at just three years old; luckily mum Charlotte trusted her instinct that something wasn't right

Jonah was just 8 months old when he contracted bacterial meningitis

21-year-old Saracens and England rugby player Rosie is fighting fit after being hospitalised with meningococcal septicaemia back in September