Knowing the symptoms of meningitis is essential because acting fast may help to reduce the life-changing impact of this potentially deadly condition. It’s also important to know how to recognise septicaemia (blood poisoning) as this can also happen alongside meningitis.
Common early symptoms of meningitis vary depending on a person’s age – they can appear in any order and some may not appear at all. They are very similar to a lot of other conditions so if you're unsure, follow your instincts and seek medical advice as soon as you can.
DO NOT WAIT FOR A RASH THAT DOES NOT FADE UNDER PRESSURE.
THIS CAN BE A SIGN OF SEPTICAEMIA (BLOOD POISONING), WHICH NORMALLY
HAPPENS ONCE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS HAS TAKEN HOLD.
SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY IF THIS TYPE OF RASH APPEARS.
If you see a rash, do the glass test. Press the side of a clear drinking glass firmly onto the rash, spots or bruises. If it is septicaemia, they will not fade.
(under 5 years)
Early symptoms
(may appear in any order or not at all)
1 IN 5 MENINGITIS SURVIVORS HAVE
PERMANENT AFTER EFFECTS – SKIN SCARS,
LIMB AMPUTATION(S), HEARING LOSS,
SEIZURES AND BRAIN DAMAGE
Later symptoms
(may appear in any order or not at all)
Early symptoms
(may appear in any order or not at all)
1 IN 5 MENINGITIS SURVIVORS HAVE
PERMANENT AFTER EFFECTS – SKIN SCARS,
LIMB AMPUTATION(S), HEARING LOSS,
SEIZURES AND BRAIN DAMAGE
Later symptoms
(may appear in any order or not at all)
Act as soon as you think you or your child has meningitis.
Don’t wait for a rash to develop: trust your instincts and get help immediately.
Call 999 for an ambulance
Go to your
nearest accident
and emergency
(A&E) department
Call NHS 111 or
your GP surgery
if you think your family
may have been exposed
to someone with meningitis