Bacterial meningitis is deadly, but can also have life-altering long-term effects – new study

WELLINGTON: (Mar 22) Bacterial meningitis is once again in global headlines, with recent cases linked to the University of Otago in New Zealand and a fast-growing outbreak at the University of Kent in England.

Bacterial meningitis is well known as an acute, deadly illness. The World Health Organization estimates about one in six infected people will die – even with prompt medical care and antibiotic treatment.

While this frightening statistic makes headlines, less well understood is what happens to those who survive this highly contagious infectious disease.