A Septicaemia is blood poisoning and can be caused by some bacteria that also cause meningitis. The bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply uncontrollably and breakdown releasing toxins into the blood. The rash associated with meningitis is actually caused by blood poisoning. A Meningitis can be split into two main forms, viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis is reasonably common but very rarely fatal, it presents like influenza and cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial forms are comparatively rare, but extremely dangerous, and can be fatal.
The most common bacterial form in the UK is meningococcal disease, which can cause both meningitis and septicaemia. The bacteria is extremely fragile and cannot live outside the body for very long, therefore it is not a highly contagious disease. A Everybody carries a very small risk but certain age groups are more susceptible. A Meningococcal disease can occur at any time of the year, but the numbers of cases rise during the winter months i.e. October - March. Other forms of bacterial meningitis include pneumococcal, HIB, E-Coli, and streptococcal.