From physical problems like fatigue and vision problems, people who survive the deadly bacterial meningitis are likely to live with long-term fatigue and vision problems, as well as be at high risk of suicide, according to a new study.The study comes as the UK is experiencing an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, that began among students who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between March 5 and 7.Although bacterial meningitis is treatable, it requires prompt, often immediate treatment for better recovery. Yet patients are likely to face the risk of fatal or long-term complications -- from physical, psychological, and social impacts, said researchers from the University of Otago, The Conversation reported.The new findings, based on 16 cases from New Zealand, who reportedly suffered the fatal disease, showed that multiple chronic after-effects is permanent in some, while in others, it dragged on for years. The effects include:fatigue,difficulties with concentration,memory and emotional regulation, persistent headaches, issues with mobility, vision, and hearing.These conditions affected the patients' ability to work, study, and maintain relationships, which further affected their mental health, increasing their vulnerability foranxiety,depressionsuicidality."Our findings demonstrate that bacterial meningitis is much more than a life-threatening infection. It is an acute disease with serious, chronic after-effects which are poorly understood and often go unrecognised," the researchers said.Kent Meningitis OutbreakAccording to the latest update from the UK Health Security Agency (HSA), 20 laboratory cases of meningitis are confirmed, and 9 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29 in the country.The bug that causes the infection has been identified as the known strain of meningitis B, and MenB vaccines will be offered to 5,000 students living in the University of Kent halls of residence in Canterbury. Meanwhile, the UKHSA chief executive, Susan Hopkins, said the outbreak "looks like a super-spreader" event with "ongoing spread" through universities' halls of residence. "There will have been some parties, particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing. I can't yet say where the initial infection came from, how it's got into this cohort, and why it's created such an explosive amount of infections," she added.As per Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, even after two doses, the MenB vaccine “does not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. It also does not prevent the bacteria from being carried and spread in the community”.The UKHSA thus warned people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease, and to seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops these signs and symptoms.Common symptoms include:rashsudden onset of high feversevere and worsening headachevomiting and diarrheajoint and muscle painseizures.