Meningitis Information

Meningitis and septicaemia are very dangerous and can kill in hours.

Meningitis means swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs. Meningitis and septicaemia can occur together or separately.

People who are faced with meningitis and septicaemia have to act fast to save a life - a race against time.

Meningitis and septicaemia can be hard to recognise at first. Symptoms can appear in any order, but the first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell, just like in many mild illnesses.

  • Meningitis and septicaemia can be hard to recognise at first. Symptoms can appear in any order, but the first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell, just like many mild illnesses
  • Red ticks show symptoms that are more specific to meningitis and septicaemia and less common in milder illnesses. Limb pain and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than a rash, neck stiffness, photophobia and confusion.
  • Not everyone gets all these symptoms
  • Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis
  • In some cases of meningitis, a rash may not appear

     MENINGITIS SYMPTOMS

       

    Septicaemia

    Meningitis

    Fever and or vomiting Fever and/or vomiting black tick black tick
    Severe headache Severe headache
    		  black tick
    Limb, joint, muscle pain Limb/joint/muscle pain (sometimes with pain/diarrhoea)
    		 red tick  
    Cold hands and feet, shivering Cold hand and feet/shivering red tick  
    Pale or mottled skin Pale or mottled skin black tick  
    Breathing fast, breathlessness Breathing fast/breathless black tick  
    Rash Rash (anywhere on the body) red tick red tick
    Stiff neck Stiff neck (less common in young children)
    		   red tick
    Dislike of bright lights Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)
    		   red tick
    Very sleepy, vacant, difficulty to wake Very sleepy /vacant /difficult to wake
    		black tick black tick
    Confused, delirious Confused /delirious
    		red tick red tick
    Seizures may also be seen Seizures (fits) may also be seen
    		  red tick

    What should I do if I am worried about someone who is ill?

    Trust your instincts. Someone who has meningitis or septicaemia could become seriously ill very quickly. Get medical help immediately if you are worried about someone who is ill.

    Tumbler test for septicaemia

    Meningitis and septicaemia Tumbler test

    Picture courtesy Prof P Brandtzaeg

    If someone is ill and gets a rash, do the 'Tumbler Test'.

    Check for spots over the whole body.

    If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the marks will not fade. You will be able to see the rash through the glass. If this happens get medical advice immediately. It is harder to see on dark skin, so check paler areas. Remember someone who is very ill needs medical help even if they have no rash or a rash that fades.

     

    IF THIS HAPPENS GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. 
     

    A rash caused by septicaemia

    Watch out for tiny red or brown pin prick marks, which can change into larger red or purple blotches or blood blisters.



    The septicaemia rash on dark skin

    The rash can be harder to see on dark skin, so check for spots especially on paler areas like palms of the hands, soles of the feet, the stomach, inside the eyelids and on the roof of the mouth.

    Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all.


    To learn more about Meningitis and the symptoms please visit http://www.meningitis.org

     

     

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