Guidance

Easy Read information about meningococcal disease (simple text only)

Updated 25 March 2026

Applies to England

We are the UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA). We help to keep people safe from things that could be bad for their health.

This information pack tells you about meningococcal disease and what you need to do now. It is important to read to the end.

You have been given this information because you might have come into contact with the infection.

This information tells you what you need to do next to keep yourself well.

Important things to remember

Meningococcal disease is an illness that can spread between people. It can make some people very ill.

If you get signs of meningococcal disease, phone 999.

Check if you need antibiotics or a vaccine by:

• visiting the Meningitis outbreak information
• or phoning 0344 225 3861

If you do need antibiotics or a vaccine, go to an antibiotic and vaccine site as soon as you can.

Find out where these are by:

• visiting the antibiotic and vaccine clinics website
• or phoning your doctor

If you are worried, phone your GP or NHS 111.

Information about meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is caused by a type of bacteria A bacteria is a germ that can make you ill.

There are different types of meningococcal bacteria.

Meningococcal B is one type of meningococcal bacteria. It is called MenB for short.

Most people that come into contact with someone who has MenB do not get ill and do not get any signs.

Sometimes MenB can get into your body and make you very ill.

It can cause:

• meningitis – swelling around the brain
• septicaemia – a dangerous infection in your blood

You might get poorly very quickly after your signs start so it is important to know the signs and when to get help

Checking for the signs of meningococcal disease

These are the signs in your body that you may be poorly because of meningococcal disease.

The best way to stay safe is to know the signs and act quickly if they appear.

Signs include:

- a rash that does not go away if you push it with a glass  - a high temperature. A high temperature is over 39°C - having very cold hands and feet - feeling sick and being sick - having diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is when your poo is very runny - new pains in your muscles and joints - a new dislike of bright lights and headache - new tiredness and being difficult to wake up

If you have MenB disease you might get some of these signs but not all of them.

This is what the rash and glass test look like

[Fig2_glasstest.jpg]

What to do if you or someone else has the signs of MenB disease

If you have signs and think that it might be MenB disease, phone 999 or go to the hospital straight away.

Do not wait. It is important that you get help quickly.

If someone else you live with or look after is unwell, check on them often.

If you are very unwell or they are very unwell, phone 999 straight away. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you are worried, phone your doctor or NHS 111 for advice. NHS 111 is a free non-emergency medical helpline.

How MenB disease spreads

MenB is spread by very close contact between people:

• it can be spread if you live in the same household as someone with MenB
• it can be spread by kissing
• you cannot get MenB by just touching things or by sitting next to someone who is infected

Information about antibiotics

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that can help to stop you from getting the disease or spreading it to others.

Antibiotics fight the MenB bacteria if you have them in your body.

Antibiotics can prevent you from spreading MenB bacteria in case you have them in your body.

This is sometimes called ‘prophylaxis.

If you are identified as a close contact of someone who is infected, we will ask you to take an antibiotic.

Check if you are being asked to take an antibiotic by using the by going to the website for the Meningitis outbreak information hub.

Find out about where to get an antibiotic by going to the website for antibiotic and vaccine clinics.

Information about vaccination

The MenB vaccine helps to protect you from the MenB bacteria.

Vaccines can help to stop you from getting very ill from infections.

Vaccines contain a very tiny part of the bacteria or virus that causes a disease.

This is so that your body’s immune system can make things called antibodies.

Antibodies are things that your immune system make to fight infections and diseases.

This means that if you catch an infection which you have already had a vaccine for, your immune system will be able to fight it better.

You will need 2 doses of this vaccine to give you the best protection. You will have 1 vaccine and then a second in about 1 month.

Other types of meningococcal disease can also cause serious illnesses like meningitis and septicaemia.

You can protect yourself against some of these types by getting the MenACWY vaccine.

You can have the MenACWY vaccine until you are 25 years old.

Talk to your Doctor if you have not had the MenACWY vaccine or are unsure if you have.

More information

If you have any issues accessing a vaccine or antibiotics, call: 0344 225 3861

If you have any questions about this information, call: 0344 225 3861

There is more information about MenB on the NHS website.

You can phone the Meningitis Research Foundation for more information: 0808 800 3344 or visit the website.

You can phone Meningitis Now for more information: 0808 80 10 388 or visit the website.