Most people who get meningitis and septicaemia survive, often without any after-effects, but sometimes these diseases cause a range of disabilities and problems that can alter people's lives. After-effects may be temporary or permanent, physical or emotional.
People respond to their own situations differently, but frequently are unsure of what to expect after meningitis or septicaemia. Relatives and friends may also feel the need for information, because the person who is recovering often needs a great deal of support. Getting over meningitis or septicaemia makes major demands on people. Fortunately, many problems improve and/or disappear over time.
Use the Quick-Jump Menu below or use the links on the right to go to the specific section you are interested in. Alternatively, scroll down to read about all after-effects:
Emotional After-Effects following Both Meningitis & Septicaemia
Other After-Effects Following Both Meningitis & Septicaemia
AFTER-EFFECTS MOST LIKELY TO BE CAUSED BY MENINGITIS ARE:
» Memory loss / Difficulty retaining information / Lack of concentration
» Clumsiness / Coordination problems
» Residual headaches
» Deafness / hearing problems / Tinnitus / Dizziness / Loss of balance
» Learning difficulties (ranging from temporary learning deficiencies to long-term mental impairment)
» Epilepsy / Seizures (fits)
» Weakness, paralysis or spasms of part of the body (if permanent, sometimes called cerebral palsy)
» Speech problems
» Loss of sight / Changes in sight
Hearing
Hearing loss is the most common after-effect of meningitis. Difficulties
can range from mild hearing loss through to profound deafness in one
or both ears. Damage to the inner ear can also result in balance problems
and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
It is important that anyone who has had meningitis has a hearing test soon after their illness. If you have not had a hearing test, contact your GP and they will arrange this.
Sight
Meningitis can damage the nerve responsible for sight (optic nerve),
resulting in partial loss of vision or blindness in one or both eyes.
Many people experience eyesight difficulties due to the optic nerve
swelling after their illness. Often, however, this improves over time.
Severe Brain Damage
Severe brain damage following meningitis is not common
and is usually obvious within a few days of becoming ill. The level
of damage to the brain may not be clear early on and it may take some
time for health professionals and families to understand the full implications.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy (seizures) can happen in a small number of
people. It is not always immediately obvious and, occasionally, children
and adults who have recovered from meningitis go on to develop epilepsy
which needs long-term medication and assessment.
If you have or someone close to you has been affected in this way due to meningitis it is often helpful to talk about it with others and offer support and advice in a caring and friendly atmosphere. Our forum can offer a safe place for members to talk openly and freely about all aspects of meningitis and how their lives have been affected by it.
AFTER-EFFECTS MOST LIKELY TO BE CAUSED BY SEPTICAEMIA ARE:
» Memory loss / Difficulty retaining information / Lack of concentration
» Clumsiness / Coordination problems
» Arthritis / Stiffness in joints
» Scarring / Skin damage
» Amputations (of fingers, toes, arms and/or legs, for example)
» Kidney damage
» Lung damage
The after-effects and complications of septicaemia are the result of damage to the major organs of the body such as the skin, brain, kidneys, lungs and heart.
When bacteria invade the body they multiply in the bloodstream and release toxins (poisons). These toxins damage the blood vessels and reduce the flow of oxygen to the major organs including the skin and underlying tissues. This can lead to skin and tissue damage, organ failure and limb loss.
Septicaemia often results in scarring on the body, which can be permanent. Skin grafts and plastic surgery can improve the appearance and restore the function of the injured areas.
In severe cases when tissues die, fingers, toes and limbs sometimes need to be amputated. People who experience complications as a result of septicaemia often have to visit hospital frequently and need many operations. Rehabilitation and recovery can take months if not years.
If you are worried, or just need someone who understands to talk to, have a chat with others in our forum. Members will be able to give you help and support in a caring and friendly environment.
EMOTIONAL AFTER-EFFECTS FOLLOWING MENINGITIS AND SEPTICAEMIA
The emotional impact on individuals and families can be huge, even when there is a good physical recovery.
Everyone will respond differently and emotional difficulties will vary depending on age. For example, young children can often experience nightmares, bed wetting, clinginess and temper tantrums. Teenagers can go through a period of depression and find it difficult to express their emotions. Children and adults may experience anxiety and depression, lack of self-esteem and confidence, and behavioural problems such as aggression and mood swings.
Patience and understanding is often the best way forward. Some people may need more support to get them through the bad times. Please use our forum to chat to others and share experiences.
It's not unusual to feel isolated at this time and many people don't know who to turn to. Talking to someone who understands can be a great help and many people benefit from talking to others in a caring an supportive environment. See our Links page for other organisations who can help or visit our forum to talk to others and feel supported and cared for in a community that understands exactly how you are feeling and what you are going through.
Some emotional after-effects that may occur following meningitis and/or septicaemia are:
» Clinginess
» Temper tantrums
» Moodiness or aggression
» Disturbed sleep
/ Nightmares
» Bed-wetting
» Changes in character
» Learning difficulties
» Depression
» Fear of doctors
and hospitals
» Other behavioural
and emotional problems
OTHER AFTER-EFFECTS FOLLOWING MENINGITIS AND SEPTICAEMIA
Learning & behavioural
problems:
Learning difficulties and behavioural problems seem to be quite common
after meningitis, especially in babies and young children. Fortunately,
many of these problems are short-term and improve with time.
When learning and behavioural difficulties are long-term, you may need
expert help and support. Many professionals, including GPs, paediatricians,
specialist teachers and psychologists, can help to reduce problems and
make life easier. Patience and understanding from family, employers,
schools and those working with sufferers is vital.
Memory problems
Memory problems are a common result of brain damage, because many parts
of the brain are concerned with storing and processing different kinds
of information. The effect of memory loss can vary. Many people experience
short-term memory loss, or find it hard to concentrate following meningitis.
This can make everyday tasks very difficult and can cause problems when
returning to work or school.
Short term after-effects
Children and adults may experience a wide range of less visible after-effects
in the weeks and months after their illness. These can include general
tiredness, persistent headaches, clumsiness, giddiness and sore or stiff
joints.
In most cases these problems do gradually improve, but they can be
very debilitating and distressing for the person concerned.
If you have or someone close to you has been affected in any way either directly or indirectly by meningitis it is often helpful to talk about it with others and offer support and advice in a caring and friendly atmosphere. Our forum can offer a safe place for members to talk openly and freely about all aspects of meningitis and how their lives have been affected by it.
Many children will quickly make a good recovery despite being very ill, but they may still behave differently, demand attention and have unexpected temper tantrums. Younger children can find it hard to explain how they feel.
Serious after-effects can lead to many changes because of frequent hospital visits, ongoing treatment and disruption to family life. Brothers and sisters, particularly younger children, will need extra attention and understanding because they can experience anxiety and feelings of isolation.
It is important that all the family receives the right care and support to meet their needs. If you need help or to talk to someone take a look at the list of websites we have on the Links page, or chat to others in the Emma's Diary Forum.
Most people recover with no after-effects and not all after-effects are permanent. The likelihood of getting after-effects from meningitis or septicaemia depends on several factors, including the type and severity of the illness. People who have been desperately ill may have spent a long time in intensive care. Research has shown that intensive care can be a distressing experience both for the person who has the illness and for their family.
Currently the majority of cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia are caused by meningococcal infection. This produces severely disabling after-effects in about one in twelve survivors, although patients who have severe meningococcal septicaemia tend to have a worse outcome. After meningococcal disease, pneumococcal meningitis is the main type and it is more likely to produce serious damage. Neonatal meningitis (occurring in the first month of life and usually caused by E.Coli or Group B Streptococcal) also carries a higher risk of after-effects than most other forms.
A person recovering from viral meningitis may experience similar problems to someone who has had bacterial meningitis, but will rarely have severe after-effects.
Careful and early follow-up of patients discharged after meningitis and septicaemia is important. An estimated 25% of people who survive meningitis or septicaemia will have less obvious after-effects, such as difficulties with co-ordination, concentration and memory. These are usually temporary.
GOOD AND BAD DAYS - TAKING TIME TO RECOVER
Leaving hospital can be a worrying time. A person
is not always ready or able to go back to their old lifestyle. If there
are serious after-effects rehabilitation will take longer. For some
this means many months in hospital, which can cause problems for family
life, education or employment. For others, although the stay in hospital
may be short, adjusting to life at home can still be difficult.
People recovering from either viral or bacterial meningitis should pay
attention to what their bodies are telling them and should be advised
not to rush. Plenty of rest can help with the recovery process. It is
important to 'listen' to the needs of your body. There is no magic formula
to feeling better because the body needs time to fully recover. It is
important to mention to employers and teachers that you may need time
off. Help and support from your family doctor can be invaluable, and
a doctor's note will be necessary if you need a longer period of rest.
Although some people are completely back to normal within a matter of weeks, it can take many months, and in severe cases, years, to recover from meningitis and septicaemia. People often find that they have days when they feel very good, and others when they feel so bad that they worry they are becoming ill again.
Bereavement is a very distressing experience, and the
death of someone you love following meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia
is always traumatic and painful.
For many, the suddenness of the disease and the speed with which it
develops are both shocking and overwhelming. Families are left feeling
stunned and traumatised, sometimes within a matter of hours, and may
have many unanswered questions.
There is no right or wrong way to feel following the death of someone close to you and it is natural to have very mixed emotions. There are numerous charities that can offer support and help to anyone who has lost a loved one to meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia. Please visit the Links page to find an organisation that has specialist counsellors and nurses on-hand 24-hours day 7-days a week to help you through this very difficult time. Alternatively, you can always use our forum to chat with others and off-load in a very caring, supportive and understanding environment. We know that you may find it difficult to ask for help after bereavement, but we also want you to know that we are here to help if we can.
Links to organisations who can provide information
and support regarding after-effects can be found on our useful Links
page. Alternatively, you can use our Forum to off-load,
chat, share and receive support in an open, caring and friendly environment.