Meningitis - advice and information

Healthwatch Reading
18 hours ago
6 min read

Kent, England has recently experienced a meningitis outbreak, with two young people tragically losing their lives and 13 others falling ill in just three days. Most of those affected are sixth-form and university students.

Meningitis outbreaks like this are rare, but the infection can develop very quickly and become serious. Shared spaces such as schools, colleges, and universities make it easier for the bacteria or viruses that cause meningitis to spread. Certain types of bacteria can also lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning), and both conditions can result in life-threatening sepsis if not treated fast.

Recognising the signs and acting quickly is crucial

Health teams advise anyone showing symptoms, such as severe headache, stiff neck, high fever or a rash, to seek urgent medical care. Early treatment can save lives.

Below is guidance from the Government’s UK Health Security Agency

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Early symptoms – such as vomiting, fever, aches, muscle pain, cold hands and feet and headaches – can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu. But someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s crucial to keep checking on anyone who is unwell. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not happen at all.

For meningitis, common signs and symptoms include:

fever
a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)
vomiting
stiff neck
dislike of bright lights
rash
confusion, delirium
severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
fits

How do you recognise septicaemia?

It’s important to be aware of how to recognise septicaemia as well as meningitis.

The most important septicaemia signs to look out for are:

fever and shivering
severe pains and aches in limbs and joints
vomiting
very cold hands and feet
pale or blotchy skin
rapid breathing
diarrhoea and stomach cramps
red or purple ‘bruised’ or blotchy rash on skin that does not fade under pressure - do the glass test. On dark skin, check inside the eyelids or the roof of the mouth where the spots may be more visible
difficulty walking or standing
severe sleepiness, losing consciousness

When should I seek medical help?

Call 999 immediately or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or someone in your care could have meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis.

Trust your instincts and do not wait for all symptoms or for a rash to develop. People with meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis can become seriously unwell very quickly.

Call NHS 111 if you're unsure whether it's serious.

If you've already had medical advice but remain worried or symptoms worsen, seek medical help again.

How does meningitis affect babies?

The symptoms and signs of meningitis and septicaemia in babies can include:

refusing feeds, vomiting
feeling drowsy and not responding to you, or being difficult to wake
being floppy and having no energy, or being stiff with jerky movements
being irritable when picked up
a high-pitched moaning cry
grunting
rapid or unusual patterns of breathing
fever (high temperature)
cold hands and/or feet
skin that is pale, blotchy or turning blue
shivering
spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure

Find out more about meningitis in babies and the MenB vaccine

by clicking the PDF booklet below.

What does the meningitis rash look like?

Although the meningitis rash doesn't always appear and can vary greatly in appearance, it is one of the most recognisable signs of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. DO NOT wait for a rash to appear before seeking medical advice.

The rash often starts with a few small, isolated spots and typically develops into a non-blanching rash (one that doesn't disappear when pressed). It is important to spot this early as a rapidly evolving rash indicates very severe disease.

The rash can be harder to see on darker skin but may be visible on paler areas such as the soles of feet, palms of hands, abdomen or inside the eyelid or roof of the mouth. Check the whole body, particularly where clothing creates pressure (underwear elastic, nappies, stockings).

Find out more about the meningitis rash:

Meningitis Research Foundation website

How is meningitis spread?

Meningitis spreads in a similar way to a cold - through close contact or lengthy contact with someone carrying the infection who may not show any signs of infection themselves. Most cases occur in individuals but outbreaks sometimes happen in schools or places where people share living space, such as university halls.

Can meningitis be prevented?

Several vaccines offered free of charge by the NHS can help protect against certain causes of meningitis and septicaemia:

MenB vaccine: For babies given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year
6-in-1 vaccine: For babies given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
Pneumococcal vaccine: Two doses for babies given at 16 weeks and 1 year; single dose for adults aged 65+
Hib/MenC vaccine: For babies given at 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
MMR vaccine: For babies given at 1 year, with a second dose at 18 months
MenACWY vaccine: For teenagers aged 13 to 14

The Men B vaccine does not protect against all MenB bacterium types. This is why we always raise awareness of signs and symptoms alongside the available vaccines.

Am I protected from MenB by childhood vaccines (MenACWY)?

The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.

If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule.

What should I do if I’ve missed my meningitis vaccine?

To get the most benefit, it is important for you or your child to have your vaccines when they are offered or as close to that time as possible. Young children who have missed one or more dose of the MenB vaccine can have this free of charge before their second birthday and missed MMR or MMRV vaccine doses can be given at any age.

Teenagers can arrange to have vaccines they have missed. This is especially important before starting university or college. If that’s not possible, they should make arrangements with their new GP as soon as they can after term begins.

All GP practices should be able to offer free missed MenACWY to students who are under 25 years as well as MMR vaccines to eligible students. International students in the same age group are also eligible for these routine vaccines.

If you were born before 1 May 2015, there is no NHS catch up programme for the MenB vaccine.

Can I have the MenB vaccine privately?

The MenB vaccine can be accessed privately through high street pharmacies, private GP providers and travel clinics. For those aged over 2 years, the vaccination course consists of 2 doses.

How is meningitis treated?

People with suspected meningitis usually have tests in hospital to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether it's viral or bacterial.

Bacterial meningitis typically requires hospital treatment for at least a week, including:

antibiotics given directly into a vein
fluids given directly into a vein
oxygen through a face mask

Viral meningitis often doesn't require hospital treatment and tends to improve on its own within 7 to 10 days. Treatment focuses on rest, painkillers and anti-sickness medication to relieve symptoms.

What is the long-term outlook?

Viral meningitis usually resolves completely without long-term problems.

While most people with bacterial meningitis and septicaemia who receive prompt treatment make a full recovery, some experience serious long-term complications including:

hearing loss or vision loss (partial or total)
problems with memory and concentration
recurrent fits (epilepsy)
co-ordination, movement and balance problems
loss of digits or limbs (amputation is sometimes necessary)

Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve chances of recovery.

What is the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is less common but more serious than viral meningitis. It is often accompanied by life-threatening sepsis and can result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

Around one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal and some cases will have long-term health problems. However, most people with bacterial meningitis who receive prompt treatment make a full recovery.

Viral meningitis is generally less serious and usually gets better on its own within 7 to 10 days, rarely causing long-term problems. Mumps was the most common cause of viral meningitis before the MMR (now the MMRV) vaccine was introduced and now several other viruses may be responsible.

Is meningitis also known as 'freshers flu'?

No, meningitis and freshers' flu are very different things. While the signs and symptoms may be quite similar at first, people with meningitis are likely to become much more unwell very quickly.

Freshers' flu may not be flu at all. It's a collection of common cold viruses that spread rapidly when students arrive at university. While freshers' flu is unpleasant, it's rarely serious. Sometimes it may be genuine flu, and will need a few days in bed.

Make sure you, your family and your friends look out for each other and that someone knows if you are unwell so they can keep an eye on you. This could be life-saving.