Meningitis: know the signs

Recent reports of meningitis cases in England are understandably worrying. The good news is that meningitis is still rare, and being informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and the people around you.

At university, it can be easy to put feeling unwell down to a cold, ‘freshers’ flu’, stress, a stomach bug, or even a hangover. But if someone is unwell and getting worse, it is important to take that seriously.

Meningitis is a medical emergency. Knowing the signs and acting quickly can save lives.

Why are students more at risk?

Meningitis can affect anyone, but teenagers and young adults are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause some types of meningitis.

Students can be more vulnerable because many people are:

• living closely together in halls or shared flats
• meeting lots of new people from different places
• mixing, socialising and sharing spaces more often
• living away from home for the first time and managing their health independently

This is one reason why illnesses can spread more easily at university. and it also means that symptoms can be missed or mistaken for something more common.

Signs and symptoms to look out for

Symptoms can develop quickly and may appear in any order. Not everyone will get every symptom.

Common symptoms can include:

• high temperature (fever)
• severe headache
• vomiting
• neck stiffness
• sensitivity to light
• rash that does not fade under pressure
• drowsiness, confusion, or being difficult to wake
• muscle pain
• diarrhoea
• stomach cramps
• cold hands and feet
• seizures or fits

Early symptoms can look a lot like flu or other everyday illnesses, so it is important to pay attention if someone seems very unwell or is getting worse.

A note on the rash

A rash can be a sign of meningitis or sepsis, but it does not always appear.

If a rash is present, it may not fade under pressure when a glass is rolled over it. However, you should never wait for a rash before getting medical help.

What should I do if I’m worried about someone?

If you think you or someone else may have meningitis:

• Call NHS 111 or contact a GP straight away if symptoms could be meningitis and the person is unwell or getting worse.
• Call 999 and ask for an ambulance in an emergency, especially if someone is very drowsy, difficult to wake, confused, having a seizure, or seriously unwell.
• Keep checking on them. If someone seems much worse than when you last saw them, trust your instincts and get help.

Please do not worry about “making a fuss”. It is always better to get urgent medical advice if you are concerned.

Vaccination: an important way to protect yourself

Vaccination is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of some types of meningitis.

MenACWY vaccine

Most students in the UK should have been offered the MenACWY vaccine at school. This helps protect against four types of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W and Y.

If you are not sure whether you had it, you can:

• check the NHS App
• contact your GP surgery
• ask your parent or carer if they may know

If you missed the MenACWY vaccine, UK students going to university for the first time can usually still get it free up to their 25th birthday.

What about MenB?

The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against every type of meningitis. MenB is another important type and a common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

The NHS does not routinely offer the MenB vaccine to all students, so it is especially important to know the signs and symptoms and to act quickly if you are worried. Some people may also choose to explore private vaccination options by speaking to their GP or a travel/private vaccination provider.

International students

If you are an international student and are unsure about your vaccination history, it is a good idea to register with a GP as soon as possible and ask for advice. 

Looking out for each other

One of the most important things you can do at university is keep an eye on your friends, flatmates and course mates.

If someone is very unwell, sleeping unusually heavily, confused, or getting worse over a short period of time, check in on them and encourage them to get help. If needed, call for help yourself.

You do not need to diagnose meningitis to take concerns seriously.

Where to get help and more information

If you are worried about symptoms:

• GP surgery – contact your doctor for advice
• NHS 111 – for urgent medical advice
• 999 – in an emergency

Useful Links​

• NHS: Meningitis  – information on meningitis symptoms, treatment and when to get help
• Meningitis Now or call 0808 80 10 388 (9am to 8pm) - symptoms, student information and support
• Meningitis Research Foundation or call 0808 800 3344 (24 hours)  (9am to 8pm) - information and support, including a 24-hour helpline
• NHS 111 - can help if you think you need medical help right now.

Need support?

If recent news has made you feel anxious, you do not have to sit with that on your own. You can speak to your GP or access support through University's wellbeing services.

Being informed is helpful. Make sure to know the signs, act quickly if needed, and look out for each other.