Hangover? Freshers flu? or meningitis?
Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. Know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia:
- Fever and/or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Limb, joint, muscle pain, stiff neck
- Cold hands and feet, shivering
- Pale or mottled skin, or rash
- Breathing fast, breathless
- Dislike of bright lights, seizures (fits)
- Very sleepy, difficult to wake, vacant, confused or delirious
Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can appear in any order and not everyone has all the symptoms.
Look out for your mates. Tell someone if you or someone else is ill. Check in regularly to make sure they are OK or so that someone knows you are OK. Seek medical advice quickly if you are worried, call NHS 111.
Act fast – if someone is ill and getting worse quickly, get medical help immediately, and call 999 in a medical emergency.
Vaccines offer the best protection. If you are a student under 25 years of age and have not yet had the MenACWY vaccine, ask your GP or visit NHS.UK to find out about MenACWY vaccine.
Meningococcal disease is an important cause of meningitis and septicaemia. MenACWY vaccine is very effective against 4 common kinds of meningococcal disease but won't protect against others, like MenB.
What can I do if I suspect I have meningitis?
- Seek medical help immediately
- Contact NHS 111 – dial 111
- Go to the doctors' surgery. Describe the symptoms carefully and say that you think it could be meningitis or septicaemia.
- In an emergency, Go to A&E - search for your nearest A&E department. You can also call emergency services - dial 999.
Find out more about meningitis on Meningitis Now, or click on the resources below: