Meningoccal septicaemia

Meningoccal septacemia is a form of blood poisoning. It is caused by the release of toxins into the blood that break down the walls of blood vessels. A rash can develop under the skin due to blood leakage that may leave red or brownish pin prick spots.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

Meningococcal infection is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK and Ireland1.

Meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis) can cause meningitis or septicaemia, or a combination of these diseases.

There are several strains or 'groups' of meningococcal bacteria (A,B,C,W135,Y and Z). In the past 50 years, most meningococcal disease in the UK and Ireland2 has been due to MenB and MenC.

Meningococcal disease affects around 2,000 people in the UK and Ireland every year and about 1500 cases are laboratory-confirmed. Now that there is a very effective MenC vaccine, 85% of cases are caused by MenB infection3.

The disease can affect anyone of any age, but mainly affects babies, pre-school children and young people. Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia are life-threatening diseases, but most people affected do recover. Septicaemia on its own is more likely to be fatal than meningitis4.

Most survivors make a full recovery without long-term after effects, but some are left with disabilities or with problems that can alter their lives. A quarter of survivors find that the effects of the disease reduce their quality of life5.

Meningococcal infection is an important cause of illness globally. There are an estimated 1.2 million cases and 135,000 deaths worldwide each year6.

In the African 'meningitis belt' alone epidemics can cause more than 100,000 cases of meningitis and 10,000 deaths in a single year, nearly all of them due to MenA.