Can anyone suffer from meningitis and septicaemia?
Yes. These diseases can affect anyone at anytime in their life. This is why it is crucial for everyone to be aware of the possible symptoms and to act quickly if they suspect something is wrong. However babies and children under the age of five (peaking around two years), followed by young people aged between 14 and 24 years are the most at risk. Around 2,300 people are affected by meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in the UK each year. One in ten victims will die, and one in seven of those who survive will be left with permanent disability such as loss of limbs, blindness, deafness and brain damage.
