On Air Archive

A Word On Meningitis & Septicaemia

Knowing the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and acting quickly can save lives. Thanks to the Meningitis Research Foundation for bringing this story to our attention and for the symptom information below. For a free information pack contact the charity's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344

Remember meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours, if you suspect either disease dial 999 immediately.

Anyone of any age can contract meningitis and septicaemia but babies, children and young adults are most at risk. Although there are vaccines which protect against some forms of these diseases, many others are not vaccine preventable.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.Meningitis is usually bacterial or viral , and occasionally is due to fungal infections, although almost any microbe can cause it.

Viral meningitis can be very unpleasant but it is almost never life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery.

Bacterial meningitis is more serious and can be caused by a range of different bacteria, although most cases in the UK and Ireland are caused by meningococcal bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis or septicaemia or both. Most people who get the disease have some symptoms of both meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia; together these two forms of the disease are known as meningococcal disease. Septicaemia is the more life threatening form of the disease and is more dangerous when there are no signs of meningitis.

The Symptoms Of Meningitis

Severe headache; stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; fever/vomiting; drowsy and less responsive/vacant; rash; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)

The Symptoms Of Septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease)

Rash; fever/vomiting; cold hands and feet/shivering; rapid or unusual breathing; joint/limb/muscle pain; abdominal pain (sometimes with diarrhoea);drowsy and less responsive/vacant.

Other symptoms in babies include: Tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue; refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning dry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.