Seasonal meningitis alert

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Parents, teachers and family doctors and their staff are being advised to be on the alert for symptoms of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

There tend to me more cases of these diseases in the winter months.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director, HPA North West, said: “It is important for everyone to know what the symptoms are and to be prepared to take urgent action if a case is suspected.

“If parents or guardians think that a child may have meningitis, they should call the doctor immediately or take the patient to the nearest accident and emergency unit.

“It is important to get the patient into treatment quickly. If in doubt, they should ring NHS Direct for advice.”

Meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) are caused by the germ meningococcus. Most cases are recorded in children under the age of four, but teenagers and young adults can also be vulnerable and, indeed, anyone can get meningitis.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease, which is not always easy to detect, can include: 

• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass (due to bleeding under the skin).
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Severe and worsening headache (without any other obvious cause)
• Severe neck stiffness
• Dislike of bright lights (photophobia)
• Very cold hands and feet
• Drowsiness that can deteriorate into a fever

Babies with meningococcal disease tend to be irritable when picked up and have a high pitched cry, stiff body and jerking movements.

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.