Meningitis stories

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

Sixteen-year-old Courtney is slowly recovering, 11 months after being hospitalised with meningococcal septicaemia

Sharon contracted viral meningitis in 2018. Here she talks about her experience and her road to recovery after meningitis

Sahib's mother knew something wasn't right with her 11 month old son. She took him to the hospital where meningococcal MenC meningitis was diagnosed

After Stacy's 40th birthday she started to feel unwell. The next day she was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.

Alfie has made a good recovery after being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, but the speed at which he became unwell was dramatic, as mum Stephanie recounts

When Holly became unwell, mum Rachel recognised some of the signs and symptoms from when she had had bacterial meningitis before

Student Matthew started feeling unwell at work, and it wasn't long before he collapsed, ending up on life support in hospital

Alfie was just six weeks old when he contracted deadly MenB. Mum Shannon tells their story

Mum Penny had no choice but to watch helplessly as her daughter Parker was placed in a coma as she battled bacterial meningitis

Daisy didn't think that her illness could be meningitis, as she didn't have a rash. However, as her symptoms worsened, she was soon being treated for the worst-case scenario

Breastfeeding mum Kasie found her treatment options were limited when she contracted viral meningitis, but she is glad she chose to continue

Stephanie spent six days in hospital before being diagnosed with viral meningitis. However, she wasn't aware of the after-effects of the disease until she found Meningitis Now

Mike fell ill with meningococcal meningitis in September 2018. Despite devastating after-effects he is now rebuilding his life.

After Sophie took baby daughter Niamh back to hospital for a third time in April this year, doctors finally diagnosed meningitis.