Meningitis - Signs and Symptoms

Early signs

Early signs can be non-specific, such as feeling generally unwell.

• Tiredness and irritability, especially when picked up or handled.

• Raised temperature, fast breathing.

• Vomiting and refusing food or milk feeds.

• Non-specific rash may occur, but not always.

Three symptoms commonly develop early on:  leg pains, cold hands and feet, pale duskiness or blueness around the lips.

Other signs

• Drowsiness, confusion.  Dislikes being handled.  Eventual loss of consciousness.

• Fever goes higher; the hands and feet may stay cold; skin may look pale or blotchy.

• Severe headache and photophobia (dislike of light) develop.  The neck will become stiff and it will be difficult to bring the chin down to touch the chest.

• High pitched whimpering cry.  Small babies have a tense or bulging fontanelle (the baby's soft spot on the crown of the head).

• Joint and muscle pain, difficulty walking and standing.

• Rash may deepen.  It starts as a cluster of tiny spots that looks like pin pricks under the skin, or may look like red blotches.  The spots and blotches get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises.  A septicaemia rash is one that does not blanch when pressed.  You can check by pressing the rash with a glass.

Symptoms of Meningitis

Can kill in hours if not treated - hospital treatment is essential Extreme sleepiness, confusion Stiff neck; Dislike of bright lights Rash, starting as tiny red pin-prick marks, developing into purple bruises or blood blisters (blood poisoning)

Severe headache; fever Throwing up repeatedly Very cold hands and feet Rapid breathing Losing consciousness Pains in limbs, joints, muscles, stomach Difficulty in walking or standing

24-hour Meningitis Research Foundation Helpline: 01454-413344