What is Meningitis? Signs and Symptoms
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges.
What is septicaemia?
Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.
Both meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours, so it is critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast.
Ticks in a circle show symptoms more specific to meningitis and septicaemia and less common in milder illnesses.
Fever and / or vomiting Meningitis Septicaemia
Severe headache Meningitis
Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain/diarrhoea) Septicaemia
Cold hands and feet / shivering Septicaemia
Pale or mottled skin Septicaemia
Breathing fast / breathless Septicaemia
Rash (anywhere on the body)MeningitisSepticaemia
Stiff neck (less common in young children)Meningitis
Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)Meningitis
Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wakeMeningitisSepticaemia
Confused / deliriousMeningitisSepticaemia
Seizures (fits)Meningitis
If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital?
Someone who has meningitis or septicaemia can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional.
The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.
It is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and septicaemia symptoms: they can appear in any order.
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
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.
The Tumbler Test
The Tumbler Test
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.