A RACE AGAINST TIME

The bacteria that cause meningitis are spread by coughing, sneezing or direct contact, and can occur in places where there are large groups of people, such as University.

Meningitis and Septicaemia can kill in hours.

Symptoms can occur in any order, but first symptoms usually are fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell.
Sometimes the symptoms can evolve more slowly.

The Symptoms in red often appear earlier than meningitis symptoms such as neck stiffness or dislike of lights.

Meningitis                                   Septicaemia
Fever and/or vomiting               Fever and/or vomiting
Severe headache                       Limb/joint/muscle pain  
Rash (anywhere on body) *        Colds hands & feet/shivering     
Stiff neck                                   Pale or mottled skin
Dislike of bright lights                 Breathing fast or breathless
Confused / delirious                   Rash   *
Seizures/fits  *                           Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake   *
                                                  Confused/delirious *
   
* more serious symptoms

THE TUMBLER TEST

If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the marks will not fade. You will see the rash through the glass.

You must seek medical advice immediately.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation or swelling of the brain, which can be caused by bacteria or viruses.


What can you do to protect yourself?

The Men C vaccine will protect you against the most common type of Meningitis. It will not protect you against all the types so you need to be aware of the symptoms and signs above.

If you haven’t had a Men C vaccine we would recommend that you do. This can be done at any of the GP Practices. The vaccine is usually well tolerated with mild side effects such as, sore arm, redness, swelling at the injection site, fever, and a headache.
You should not have the vaccine if you are ill with a temperature, have had a previous severe reaction to a vaccine (discuss with your doctor) or you think you might be pregnant.

REMEMBER although serious, if the illness is picked up early people can recover fully.

Are you are contact of meningitis?

When a diagnosis has been confirmed, the hospital contacts the Health Protection Agency. They will contact trace anyone who they think is at risk as a close contact and offer them prophylactic antibiotics. A close contact is someone sharing living space with the patient or a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Source: www.meningitisuk.org
           www.meningitis-trust.org