Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of meningitis amongst children in the UK and Ireland. This bug kills more children under five than any other infectious disease. Even children who survive may be left with life-changing disabilities, from learning difficulties and behavioural problems to hearing loss and amputations.
Fortunately, most children have natural resistance to the bugs that cause meningitis and septicaemia, and vaccines give excellent protection against many forms. But not all forms can be prevented, so it’s very important that everyone is aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. These symptoms can be hard to recognise, especially in small children who get lots of minor illnesses with similar symptoms and can’t explain how they are feeling.
But meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours, so always trust your instincts and get urgent medical help.
Meningitis and sepsis: the symptoms to look out for
In young children, the first symptoms of meningitis are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than a rash, neck stiffness and dislike of bright lights and confusion.
Asterisks (*) show symptoms more specific to meningitis and sepsis and less common in milder illnesses.
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Fever and/or vomiting
Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓
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Severe headache
Meningitis ✓
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Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain / diarrhoea)
Sepsis* ✓
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Cold hands and feet / shivering
Sepsis* ✓
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Pale or mottled skin
Sepsis ✓
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Breathing fast / breathless
Sepsis ✓
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Rash (anywhere on the body)
Meningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓
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Stiff neck (less common in young children)
Meningitis* ✓
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Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)
Meningitis* ✓
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Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake
Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓
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Confused / delirious
Meningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓
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Seizures (fits)
Meningitis* ✓
Five things to remember if you think your child has meningitis or septicaemia
- It’s a common misconception that, if you have meningitis, there will be a rash. But a rash doesn’t appear in all cases. If you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, don’t wait for a rash. Get medical help immediately.
- Not everyone gets all of the meningitis and septicaemia symptoms above, so if your child is ill don’t hesitate – get professional medical help from your local clinician fast.
- Meningitis and septicaemia symptoms can appear in any order and can be easily mistaken for other childhood illnesses.
- Septicaemia (often called sepsis) can occur with or without meningitis: both infections are caused by the same bacteria, with septicaemia the more life-threatening form of the disease.
- You know your child best; check on them often (including through the night), trust your instincts and act fast.
What is the meningitis rash?
If you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test.
The tumbler test
Press a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass get urgent medical help immediately.
Check the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.
The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and 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. More on what is the meningitis rash.
How can I protect my child from meningitis and septicaemia?
The single most effective thing you can do to protect your children from meningitis is to make sure they are fully immunised.
Every injection in routine immunisation programme for babies protects against some form of meningitis. Booster vaccines are not just a top-up. Vaccines given after 12 months of age are very important. Without these immunisations your child’s protection will be short lived.
But since not all forms of meningitis can be prevented, it’s important you know the symptoms. That way you can recognise the disease in time to get medical help if your child is affected.
More support
If you have questions or concerns about meningitis or septicaemia you can ring our Support Services on 080 8800 3344 in the UK or 1800 41 33 44 in the Republic of Ireland. But don’t wait to speak to us if you think you or someone you care about is seriously ill – always call your medical services.