Website of the Department of Health
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Preventing meningitis
- 1. What is meningitis
- 2. Types of meningitis
- 3. Recognising meningococcal disease
- 4. Improving recognition
- 5. Protecting young children
- 6. Raising awareness among young people and students
- 7. The meningitis C campaign
- 8. Reducing the impact of group C meningococcal infection in young people
- 9. Group B meningococcal infection
- 10. Group A and Group W135 strains of meningococcal disease
- 11. Travellers to Hajj or Umrah
- 12. Links
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3. Recognising meningococcal disease
Meningitis and septicaemia are both very serious diseases that can be fatal. It is important to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms and know what to do if you see them.
The first symptoms of both meningitis and septicaemia may be non-specific and can be mistaken for a cold or flu (i.e. fever, vomiting, irritability and restlessness). However, individuals can become seriously ill within hours.
If the presentation is predominantly one of SEPTICAEMIA (blood poisoning), symptoms may include:
In babies:
- Rapid or unusual patterns of breathing
- Skin that is pale, blotchy, or turning blue.
- Fever with cold hands and feet
- Shivering
- Vomiting, refusing to feed
- Red or purple spots that do not fade under pressure (do the glass test explained below).
- Pain/irritability from muscle aches or severe limb/joint pain
- Floppiness
- Severe sleepiness
- Sleepiness, less responsive, vacant, or confusion (a late sign in septicaemia)
- Severe pains and aches in the limbs and joints
- Very cold hands and feet
- Shivering
- Rapid breathing
- Red or purple spots that do not fade under pressure (do the glass test explained below)
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhoea and stomach cramps
If the presentation is predominantly one of MENINGITIS, symptoms may include:
In babies:
- A high-pitched, moaning cry.
- Irritable when picked up
- A bulging fontanelle
- Drowsy and less responsive/vacant Being difficult to wake
- Floppy and listless or stiff with jerky movements
- Refusing feeds, vomiting
- Skin that is pale, blotchy or turning blue
- Fever
In older children, adolescents and adults:
- A stiff neck (check that they can kiss their knees or touch their forehead with their knees)
- A very bad headache*
- A dislike of bright lights
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Drowsy / less responsive/vacant / confused
- Rash
*a very bad headache alone is not a reason to seek medical help.
Important information
Not everyone will develop all the symptoms listed above and symptoms can appear in any order. If an individual develops some of the symptoms listed above, especially red or purple spots, get medical help urgently. Development of red or purple spots (resembling bruises) that do not fade under pressure is indicative of septicaemia. This condition must be treated immediately with antibiotics.
If you cannot get in touch with your doctor, or are still worried after getting advice, trust your instincts and take your child to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.
As the disease progresses, photophobia (dislike of light), disorientation and reduced awareness, possibly leading to coma, may develop.
The Glass Test
The Glass Test. Photo: Dr Petter Brandtzaeg
The Glass Test involves pressing the side of a glass firmly against the rash to see if the rash fades and loses colour under pressure. If the rash does not change colour, a doctor should be contacted immediately.
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