Meningitis symptoms
To be able to view this video please make sure, that you have Flash installed on your computer and that java-script is enabled in your browser.
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 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
|
More information about meningitis symptoms in babies
More information about meningitis symptoms in toddlers
More information about meningitis symptoms in young adults
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
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.
Watch out for tiny red or brown pin prick marks, which can change into larger red or purple blotches or blood blisters.
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.
Meningitis rash test video
Watch Dr Hilary Jones explain about the septicaemic rash and how to perform the tumbler test below.
To be able to view this video please make sure, that you have Flash installed on your computer and that java-script is enabled in your browser.
You may also be interested in ...