Meningitis and septicaemia explained
Meningitis is a word that strikes fear into most people.
Every year in the UK and Ireland there are some 3,500 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.
Meningitis is usually bacterial or viral. Whilst viral meningitis can be very nasty it is almost never life-threatening and most people will soon make a full recovery. Bacterial meningitis is more serious and most cases in the UK and Ireland are caused by meningococcal bacteria. These bacteria also cause septicaemia, the blood poisoning and far more life-threatening form of the disease.
Meningococcal bacteria are common – about 10% of the population carry them in the back of the nose or throat. Carriage is less common in young children than in adults. Young adults have the highest rate of carriage, with up to one in four harbouring the bacteria.
The bacteria are passed on by prolonged or intimate contact. They are very fragile and do not survive outside the human body, so they are not easily transmitted. They cannot be caught from the air, clothes, bedding or from handling toys, cutlery or furniture.
Whilst there are vaccines in the childhood immunisation schedule in the UK and Ireland which give excellent protection against meningitis and septicaemia, there are other forms of these diseases that are not vaccine preventable. Until we have vaccines to protect against all major forms meningitis and septicaemia, knowing the symptoms is crucial.
The onset of disease is often non-specific flu like symptoms. Occurring some 5-8 hours before the well known symptoms of stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and rash are the ‘red flag’ symptoms:
-
Limb Pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale mottled skin
- 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
| |
|
Septicaemia
|
Meningitis
|
 |
Fever and/or vomiting |
 |
|
 |
Severe headache
|
|
|
 |
Limb/joint/muscle pain (sometimes with pain/diarrhoea)
|
 |
|
 |
Cold hand and feet/shivering |
|
|
 |
Pale or mottled skin |
|
|
 |
Breathing fast/breathless |
|
|
 |
Rash (anywhere on the body) |
|
|
 |
Stiff neck (less common in young children)
|
|
|
 |
Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)
|
|
|
 |
Very sleepy /vacant /difficult to wake
|
|
|
 |
Confused /delirious
|
|
|
 |
Seizures (fits) may also be seen
|
|
|
Other meningitis symptoms in toddlers and babies:
- Refusing to eat/feed
- Irritable, not wanting to be held/touched
- A stiff body, with jerky movements, or floppy, unable to stand up
|
Babies and tiny tots may also have:
- A tense or bulging soft spot on the head (fontanelle)
- A high pitched or moaning
|
Tumbler test for septicaemia
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.
Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF)
MRF's vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia.
The charity funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes.
The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected.
Freefone 24 hour helpline – 080 8800 3344 (UK) 1800 41 33 44 (RoI)
Meningitis Research Foundation has a Freefone 24 hour helpline which is operated by trained staff and nurses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A wide range of free literature and information is available to callers to the helpline and through the the Foundation’s website –
www.meningitis.org - with an interpretation service in 120 languages available through the helpline.
Support Services
The Foundation provides help, support and befriending to individuals and families affected by meningitis and septicaemia.
Research
Meningitis Research Foundation currently funds 26 research projects.
Since it was founded in 1989, the charity has awarded 133 research
grants leading to many advances in the prevention, detection and
treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.