Meningitis – know the symptoms, act fast

Meningitis – know the symptoms, act fast

Meningitis can occur at any time of the year, but it is most prevalent between December and February, therefore the Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to raise awareness in the community and across all age ranges of the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-threatening disease.

Dr Richard Smithson, Consultant in communicable disease control, PHA, said: “Meningitis is a serious disease, so it is vital everyone becomes more vigilant of the signs and symptoms to be able to detect the disease earlier. It is critical that the symptoms are noticed at the earliest opportunity, to allow early invention with antibiotics.”

Meningitis is most commonly caused by the meningococcus bacterium. It causes inflammation of the brain lining and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning). Infection can occur at any age, though the majority of infections occur in children under four years old. Teenagers are also a particularly vulnerable group.

Early symptoms of the disease may include:
• sudden onset of high fever;
• a severe and worsening headache without any other obvious cause;
• severe neck stiffness;
• dislike of bright lights;
• very cold hands and feet;
• drowsiness that can deteriorate so someone is difficult to wake or even unconscious;
• a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass (this is due to bleeding under the skin).

Babies with meningococcal disease tend to be irritable when picked up and have a high pitched cry, stiff body and jerking movements.

Dr Smithson added: “Symptoms of meningitis are often non-specific and easily mistaken for other illnesses such as flu, but the disease can come on very quickly and it is important to seek urgent medical attention if you think meningitis is occurring.

“A very important sign is a rash which does not disappear if a glass is pressed against it. If someone develops this then they need urgent medical attention. It can appear anywhere on the body so it is important to check under clothing. However the rash doesn’t always appear, so don’t wait for it to appear before seeking medical attention if other signs are present.”

It is important to note that the meningitis C vaccine, part of the childhood vaccination programme, only protects against one form of the infection, so parents should still remain vigilant.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord, while septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease. These two conditions have different sets of symptoms and may occur separately or together.

Additionally, they may be caused by a variety of different organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. When caused by meningococcal bacteria, these two conditions together are known as meningococcal disease.

Further information can be found on the Health Protection website www.hpa.org.uk or www.meningitisuk.org

Further information

Contact the PHA Press Office on 028 9031 1611

www.hpa.org.uk or www.meningitisuk.org

Notes to the editor

Dr Richard Smithson will be available for interview on Monday 6 December 2010.

Meningitis symptoms in babies are:
• High temperature, fever, possibly with cold hands and feet
• Vomiting or refusing feeds
• Baby may be floppy, dislike being handled
• High pitched moaning, whimpering cry
• Difficult to wake or lethargic
• Non-blanching rash (doesn’t disappear when a glass is pressed against it)

Meningitis symptoms in adults and children are:
• High temperature, fever, possibly with cold hands and feet
• Vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Non-blanching rash (doesn’t disappear when a glass is pressed against it)
• Drowsiness
• Dislike to bright lights
• Joint or muscle pain
• Fits