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Essentials Guidance and support Medical and general health Meningitis

Meningitis and Sepsis

Protecting yourself and important vaccinations

Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial meningitis is particularly serious and can lead to severe health complications or death if not treated promptly.  Septicaemia or Sepsis is a dangerous reaction to an infection and can present in conjunction with meningococcal meningitis.

University students especially those aged 18 to 21 are at increased risk of meningitis due to close living conditions and social interactions, which can facilitate the spread of bacteria. 

Vaccination, particularly with the MenACWY and MenB vaccines, is crucial for prevention, as meningitis can develop rapidly and is a medical emergency.

Meningitis Symptoms

  • Recognizing the symptoms of meningitis early is crucial. Common signs include:
  • Sudden onset of high fever
  • Skin rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Extreme sleepiness/difficulty walking
  • Seizures

Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. If you or anybody you know has any of these symptoms, please seek urgent medical help. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get worse very quickly.

DO NOT wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, trust your instincts - Get medical help immediately.

The symptoms of meningitis can be easily confused with flu, a stomach bug or a hangover. If someone is ill and getting worse, call NHS 111 and in an emergency dial 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

Vaccination Recommendations

Despite the large amount of mis-information in the media, vaccination is the most effective way to prevent meningitis.   Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Epidemiologist at The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said:  “These infections are vaccine preventable, which is why I urge students to check they’re up to date on their meningitis, HPV and MMR jabs and to contact their GP if unsure.” 

Students should ensure they are up to date with the following vaccines:

  • MenACWY – protecting against 4 common meningitis strains causing meningitis and sepsis  
  • MenB - helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, including meningitis and sepsis. 
  • MMR – protecting against measles, mumps and rubella
  • HPV – protecting against human papilloma virus related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts  

While the MenACWY vaccine offers protection against 4 forms of meningococcal disease, it does not protect against all forms, like MenB, which is why it’s important to know how to spot the symptoms of Meningitis and sepsis as early detection and treatment can prove lifesaving.

We encourage all new students to receive MenB vaccinations before arriving on campus. 

The University is hosting on-campus clinics providing the vaccine free to eligible students during October. You can book online with the NHS by entering the University postcode: RG6 6UR or your own postcode if you are booking the vaccine elsewhere.

Book a MenB vaccination appointment

Further support and Information