After babies and children under five, teenagers and young people are the second most at risk group for contracting meningitis and septicaemia.

 

One in four 15 – 19 year olds carry meningococcal bacteria that can cause meningitis in the back of their throats, compared to one in ten of the UK population.

 

The five main groups of meningococcal bacteria that commonly cause disease are groups A, B, C, W and Y.

 

You can be a carrier without becoming ill and in most cases it will help boost your natural immunity.

 

In an age group where more people are carrying the bacteria, there will be more disease.

 

Meningococcal bacteria are passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing. Increased social interaction in this age group means that the bacteria can be passed on more easily.

 

Meningococcal group W (Men W) has historically been rare in the UK but since 2009 year on year cases of Men W have increased and continue to do so. A particularly aggressive strain of Men W is causing disease in all age groups but there has been a significant increase in university students