These photos are part of a campaign to raise awareness about the seriousness of this disease.
Photos taken by Ann Geddes.
Little Amber Travers He was two years old when he almost died of meningitis.
She had been in intensive care for three days when doctors made the heartbreaking decision to amputate his limbs in hopes of saving his life.
Three years later (she is now five) she is featured in a series of photographs to raise awareness of the disease.
Amber Travers (right) and her eight-year-old sister Jade, taking part in the awareness campaign of 'Meningitis Now' and 'Meningitis Research Foundation'.
The photos have been taken by Australian photographer Anne Geddes as part of a campaign jointly deployed by charities.
About 3400 people suffer from bacterial meningitis each year, many of them children and adolescents. About 1 in 10 die and up to a quarter are left with lifelong sequelae, including amputated limbs, deafness or learning disabilities.
Ellie-May Challis (left) contracted the disease when she was only 16 months old. For the campaign she was photographed with her sister Sophie.
Bacterial meningitis is caused by an infection of the cells of the meninges in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe headache, fever, vomiting, patches on the skin, and cold hands or feet.
Viral meningitis (the other type) is much more common but less serious.
Harvey Parry, eight years old, lost his legs and part of his right hand to meningitis.
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