Know the Symptoms
Race Against Time
Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours
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.
The 'red flag' symptoms often appear earlier than meningitis symptoms like neck stiffness and dislike of light, and before the more serious symptoms
The darker pictures indicate serious symptoms
Septicaemia
 |
Fever/vomiting |
 |
Limb / joint / muscle pain |
 |
Cold hands and feet / shivering |
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Pale or mottled skin |
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Breathing fast / breathless |
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Rash (anywhere on the body) |
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Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake |
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Confused / delirious |
Meningitis
|
Fever/vomiting |
 |
Severe headache |
 |
Stiff neck
(Less common in young children) |
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Dislike of bright lights
(Less common in young children) |
|
Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake |
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Confused / delirious |
|
Rash (anywhere on the body)
(Not present in all cases) |
 |
Seizures |
- Not everyone gets all these symptoms
- Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis
Other symptoms in babies:
- Tense or bulging soft spot on their head
- Refusing to feed
- Irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry
- A stiff body with jerky movements, or else floppy and lifeless
More information about symptoms in babies.
More information about symptoms in toddlers.
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.
Picture courtesy Prof P Brandtzaeg
Tumbler test for septicaemia
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 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. They 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.
Questions and answers
Q1 Only children and college students get it.
True/False?
A1 False. Babies, children and young people are most at risk, but anyone of any age can get meningitis and septicaemia, as the graph shows.
Q2 You won't get it if you've had a meningitis vaccine.
True/False?
A2 False. Meningitis vaccines give excellent protection, but can't prevent all forms. You still need to know the symptoms. For more information call the charity's helpline.
Q3 If you feel ill, you should wait and see if you get a rash.
True/False?
A3 False. The rash is mostly seen with septicaemia, but it might not appear until someone is already very ill, and in some cases may not appear at all.
Q4 You always get a stiff neck, and can't stand the light.
True/False?
A4 False. Neck stiffness and dislike of bright lights are symptoms of meningitis but do not appear in every case and are unusual in young children. They are not symptoms of septicaemia - the more dangerous form.
Q5 With meningitis and septicaemia you always get ill quickly.
True/False?
A5 False. The main type of meningitis and septicaemia usually comes on very fast and the person will get worse very quickly. However, there are some types where the onset of illness is slower.
Trust your instincts. If you are worried about someone who is ill, get medical help immediately.
Help in the fight against meningitis and septicaemia.
Page last updated 01.02.07