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Meningitis and septicemia are serious conditions caused by an infection. Both conditions can lead to life-threatening symptoms in a matter of hours, and early treatment is essential.

Several kinds of infection can cause meningitis. You could be infected by viruses, bacteria or fungi.

• When one of these germs infects the fluid in your spinal cord and around your brain, it's called meningitis.¹ Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the layers of tissue around your brain and spinal cord.
• If the germ gets into your blood, it can cause blood poisoning (septicemia).

This information looks at meningitis and septicemia caused by bacteria called meningococcus. These infections are also called meningococcal disease. We haven't looked at meningitis caused by a virus, which tends to be a less serious illness.²

There are lots of different kinds of meningococcal bacteria. Most meningococcal disease is caused by groups called A, B, C, W-135, and Y. Group B is the most common cause of meningococcal disease in the United States.

You can get meningitis or septicemia on their own. Or you can get both at the same time. Of the two diseases, septicemia is the most dangerous.

Of the people who get infected with meningococcal bacteria:³

• About 5 in 10 get both meningitis and septicemia
• About 3 in 10 just get septicemia
• About 2 in 10 just get meningitis.

Babies under 12 months are most likely to be affected by meningococcal disease, followed by teenagers between 15 and 18.⁴ College freshmen who live in dormitories are also at greater risk.⁵

Children whose parents smoke seem to be at greater risk of meningococcal disease. So do children who live in poor conditions.

There are vaccines that help prevent some types of meningococcal disease, but not group B. To read more, see Who should be vaccinated?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.