KNOWING THESE SYMPTOMS CAN SAVE A LIFE

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Knowing the symptoms will save lives. Our poster is free to download and print. This service has been provided by many generous people who donate to help fight against meningococcal.

A4 Size Poster (Most home printers will print this size)
A3 Size Poster (you will need a A3 printer)

Meningococcal septicaemia has different symptoms to meningitis
	MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA Is caused when the bacteria invade through the blood system	MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS Is an infection of the membrane and fluid covering the brain and spinal cord.
High fever
Cold hands and feet cold shivers
Tachypnoea (rapid breathing)
Drowsiness/tiredness Confusion or disorientation
Vomiting/nausea
Severe headache Sensitivity to light
Stiff or painful neck, backache
Irritable, fussy or agitated
Pain in muscles, joints, chest and abdomen
Rash
A PERSON WITH MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA MAY NEVER EXPERIENCE HEADACHE OR STIFF NECK
A L W A Y S   S E E K   M E D I C A L   A D V I C E
	IN BABIES
Poor feeding
Moaning/high pitched cry Blank staring expression
Floppy/lethargic/difficult to wake
Arching of body/neck/ dislike of being handled/ bulging fontanelle
NB: Fewer than 1 in 20 people die of meningococcal meningitis (5%) But more than 8 in 20 people die of meningococcal septicaemia (40%)

MENINGOCOCCAL MENGITITES

Signs and symptoms of Meningococcal meningitis

The most common symptoms are:

• High fever
• Intense headache
• Intolerance to light and sound
• Stiff neck and spinal pain
• Rigidity of muscles especially in the neck
• Convulsions or seizures
• Disorientation, confusion
• Rash this does not always appear with meningococcal meningitis – Usually in the later stages of the disease.

It is important to note that the reash does not always appear in the earlier stages of meningococcal meningitis. It does, however, appear if the disease has progressed and if meningococcal septicaemia is a possiblity.

In babies

• Moaning - A high pitched cry – one mother described it too me like the sound of a wild beast screaming
• Floppy or lethargic
• Lethargic - sleepy-difficult to wake
• Uninterested in feeding
• Intense dislike of being handled
• Twitching

NOTE:

If meningococcal meningitis is developing a patient will deteriorate rapidly, you will notice they become progressively sicker quicker than you would normally expect.

IMPORTANT

Remember to always consult a medical practitioner or your local hospital if you have any concerns - A person will not exhibit all of these symptoms therefore it is important to stay alert and closely monitor their progress. Trust your instinct. Don't hesitate about seeking medical advice, the earlier the diagnosis the better the outcome.

THE RASH

At first it can appear as tiny spots - blisters or bruising as the disease progresses the larger the bleed area becomes.

MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA

The beginning of meningococcal septicaemia is sometimes described as having flu-like symptoms – this refers to the general aches and pains of the flu, a feeling of all over unwellness.

BUT unlike the flu meningococcal disease will cause a raid deterioration you will notice a person become sicker within hours – noticeably sicker.

Early diagnosis is essential in the treatment of meningococcal infection; the primary form of treatment is antibiotics.

The symptoms can appear suddenly and progress rapidly.
Symptoms may include:

• A sudden spiking fever
• A person may say they are cold when in fact they are hot to touch.
• Chills, sweats, cold hand and feet
• Vomiting – nausea and sometimes diarrhoea
• Pain in or swollen joints – difficulty in walking – abdominal cramps
• Lethargy – tiredness – drowsiness.
• They may appear bloated or grey looking
• Tachypnea – rapid breathing
• Tachycardia – rapid heart rate

Hemorrhagic Rash – a rash that may start as tiny spots anywhere on the body – it is important to constantly check the body for any signs or changes. Any enlargement should be treated as a medical emergency

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