How do you know when you might have meningitis?
- You have a headache and a bit of fever, just like flu.
- Unlike flu, the headache and fever get worse and you may start throwing up.
- You then get a stiff neck and can’t stand bright lights (like a very bad hangover
but with a fever as well).
If this is you, better be safe than sorry – call a doctor now as your body is
already in trouble.
- You get a rash which can be anywhere on the skin. It starts like little red pin
pricks, and turns into small bruises the size of a 5p coin.
Unlike normal rashes, they don’t go away when you press them or press a glass
against them.
This last sign is very serious. Get yourself to a doctor or a doctor to you
VERY URGENTLY. The rash means the bacteria have got into the
blood stream and caused blood poisoning, or septicaemia. You need to zap it with
antibiotics NOW. If you can’t get hold of your GP, just dial 999 for an ambulance
and head straight for hospital.
What is meningitis?
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