Meningitis

• Vomiting
• High Temperature
• Violent or severe headache
• Neck Stiffness
• Dislike of bright lights
• Drowsiness, Lethargy
• Joint Pains
• Fitting
• Rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
  

  Call a doctor immediately if someone has this rash.

  The rash is a very late sign of meningitis and means that the patient requires immediate treatment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Very cold hands or feet

With two or more of these symptoms consult your G.P. to eliminate a diagnosis of meningitis. Meningitis is not easy to identify at first because the symptoms are similar to those of flu.

Recognising the symptoms early could mean the difference between life and death. Someone with meningitis will become very ill quickly. The illness may progress over one or two days but it can develop quickly and sometimes in just a few hours the patient will become seriously ill. Not all these symptoms will show at once.

Bacterial meningitis is caused by several types of bacteria which live naturally in the back of the nose and throat. People of any age can carry these germs without becoming ill.

Bacteria can spread between people by coughing, sneezing, and kissing. It is only rarely that this bacteria overcomes the body's defences and causes meningitis. The bacteria cannot live long outside the body so cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools or buildings.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis. If meningoccal disease is suspected by the G.P. the patient should have penicillin, by injection, before being admitted to hospital.

Antibiotics are also prescribed for immediate family / household members or any others who have been in very close contact with the person, in the week before the onset of illness. The aim is to reduce carriage by the closest contacts. Only very close household contacts of the patient are at an increased risk of contracting meningitis. Other contacts such as student friends or work mates are only very rarely at higher risk and do not normally need special treatment or investigation.

Stopping smoking helps your health generally and research has indicated that it may reduce the chances of getting meningitis in the family.

The symptoms for viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis are very similar, but are usually milder with viral meningitis. However, in the early stages of the illness it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, so it is always best to seek medical advice in case urgent treatment is needed.

Bacterial meningitis is caused by several types of bacteria which live naturally in the back of the nose and throat.People of any age can carry these germs without becoming ill.

Bacteria can spread between people by coughing, sneezing, and kissing. It is only rarely that this bacteria overcomes the body's defences and causes meningitis. The bacteria cannot live long outside the body so cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools or buildings.

Treatment is usually rest and pain killers and most people tend to make a full recovery within two-weeks without being admitted to hospital.

No treatment is required for people you have come into contact with in the case of viral meningitis

We would liaise with the Medical Service/NHS to ensure that effective  arrangements are in place, that information on meningitis is available, and take direction from the medical specialists regarding  following  up close contacts. Sometimes the Meningitis C vaccination or antibiotic therapy may be given. Meningococcal disease is a notifiable disease and the Heath Protection Agency should be informed of all cases. They will advise on whether any contacts need prophylactic antibiotics.

The Department of Health recommends that all first year University students under the age of 25 should have received the Meningitis C immunisation before coming to university. If you have not received this immunisation, or do not recall having recieved it, contact your own medical centre or GP to discuss your situation.