mortality

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • 7% in meningococcal meningitis
  • 20% in meningococcal septicaemia

Overall mortality remains around 10% in the UK

  • case fatality ratios increase with age and are higher in individuals with serogroup C than with serogroup B infections and in those infected with strains with certain typing patterns
  • mortality is higher in cases with septicaemia than in those with meningitis alone
  • prompt and active management may reduce fatality ratios
    • in those who survive, approximately 25% may experience a reduced quality of life, with 10–20% developing permanent sequelae
      • most common long-term effects are skin scars, limb amputation(s), hearing loss, seizures and brain damage

Reference:

  1. Immunisation Against Infectious Disease - "The Green Book".Chapter 22 Meningococcal (August 2006)