What should I do if I think someone has meningitis?

You need to do something quickly.

If in doubt about a child or other member of the family, it is better to call the doctor and do mention your concerns to the doctor or his answering service. If the doctor has been consulted, but the patient seems to be deteriorating rapidly in a way not predicted by the doctor, it is worth ringing again.

Should your doctor consider that this is a case of meningitis he is likely to give an injection of penicillin and arrange emergency admission to hospital

The very mention of meningitis strikes fear into the heart of most parents in the UK. Such fears are understandable because meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can be a very serious illness. It can be caused by several different germs, mainly bacteria and viruses: Bacterial meningitis is quite rare but it can be very serious and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics. There are two main bacterial forms, namely Meningococcal and Pneumococcal.

Meninogococcal Meningitis and particularly the group B strain is the most common form in the U.K. accounting for over half the cases. Group C strain is being effectively prevented with the new vaccine.

Although most people recover from the disease, some are left deaf or blind, and in others it may prove fatal.

One of the biggest problems with meningitis is that it can develop very quickly. A child (or adult) can seem perfectly well and then, just a few hours later, be extremely ill with the disease. Another problem is that the symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other, less serious infections.

What are the symptoms of meningitis

Recognising the symptoms early could mean the difference between life and death. Someone with meningitis will become very ill. 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

Signs and symptoms of meningitis in children and adults may include:
headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness and/or joint pain, drowsiness or confusion, discomfort when looking at bright lights or light sensitivity, fitting or convulsions, a rash- may vary in appearance and can start anywhere on the body.

In some cases the rash may start as a pink rash, a pink, purple or red spot. It can also appear as pink, red, purple or brownish coloured pin prick spots which may develop into a bruise like rash. The rash can start anywhere on the body and is due to blood poisoning (septicaemia), which sometimes occurs together with meningitis. The rash does not usually fade when pressed (however this is not always a dependable test). The rash is caused by bleeding into the skin. The rash should be taken seriously. Seek urgent medical attention.

Signs and symptoms of meningitis in babies and infants may include:
fever, possibly with cold hands and feet, refusing feeds or vomiting, dislike of being handled and /or cries when moved, fretful or irritable behaviour, child is difficult to wake or limp, high pitched moaning cry or whimpering, pale or blotchy complexion, neck retraction with arching of back, blank staring expression, convulsions or fitting or jerking body movements, rash - may vary in appearance and can start anywhere on the body.

Babies become ill very quickly. If you think a baby is ill or you are concerned about their health seek medical attention and advice urgently.

The tumbler test

If someone is ill and gets a rash, do the 'Tumbler Test'. Check for spots over the whole body. If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the marks will not fade. You will be able to see the marks through the glass.

IF THIS HAPPENS GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Watch out for tiny red or brown pin prick mark, which can change into larger red or purple blotches or blood blisters. The rash can be harder to see on dark skin, so check for spots especially on paler areas like palms of the hands, soles of the feet, the stomach, inside the eyelids and on the roof of the mouth. Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there is no rash, or a rash that fades