There are many causes of meningitis and septicaemia.

Different germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause meningitis and septicaemia if they invade the body.

When a bacteria causes meningitis this is known as bacterial meningitis and this is usually more serious than other forms.

Most cases of bacterial meningitis in the UK are caused by meningococcal bacteria but many other bacteria can cause meningitis as well. For example, pneumococcal, Hib and TB bacteria.

Three common neonatal forms are Group B Strep, E Coli and Listeria.

How infection is acquired by the baby differs somewhat between these types.  Group B Strep (the most common cause of neonatal meningitis) is usually transmitted to the baby via the birth canal during the later stages of labour, whereas listeria is usually transmitted to the baby across the placenta before birth. E-Coli infection may occur during delivery, or from bacteria acquired in hospital or at home

Meningococcal bacteria

Meningococcal bacteria are surprisingly common and live naturally at the back of the nose and throat.  In fact, at any one time about one in ten of us can be carrying the bacteria in our noses and throats without ever knowing they are there, and for most of us this is harmless.

We pass the bacteria between each other through prolonged close contact: coughing, sneezing, kissing. Usually we have to be in very close or regular contact with someone for the bacteria to pass between us.  Even when this happens, most of us will not become ill because we have natural immunity.

The bacteria do not naturally live or survive for long outside the human body. This is something we commonly have to reassure worried parents about on our Helpline.

So How do people get it?

People get the disease when the bacteria move from the nose and throat and invade the body. If this happens urgent medical attention will be required, as the earlier the treatment the better the outcome.

We do not yet fully understand why some people get ill from germs that are harmless to most of us.