Meningitis: Know the Signs. Act Fast. Save Lives.
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Meningitis is a serious and potentially life‑threatening illness that can affect anyone, but it is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Knowing what to look out for — and acting quickly — can save lives.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges — the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. When these membranes become inflamed, it can lead to severe illness very quickly.
What causes meningitis?
Meningitis is caused by an infection, most commonly:
- Viral meningitis (more common, usually less serious)
- Bacterial meningitis (less common but extremely serious)
Infections cause swelling around the brain and spinal cord, which is what makes meningitis so dangerous.
Why bacterial meningitis is especially serious
While rarer, bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and can be life‑threatening. It often requires urgent hospital treatment and can lead to long‑term complications or death if not treated quickly.
Meningitis and sepsis: what’s the connection?
Sometimes, the bacteria that cause meningitis can enter the bloodstream, leading to sepsis (blood poisoning).
This can happen very rapidly:
Infection → bloodstream → sepsis
Both meningitis and sepsis are life‑threatening emergencies.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is an overwhelming immune response affecting the whole body. It:
- Can come on suddenly
- Can worsen very quickly
- Is often mistaken for flu in the early stages
- Can cause dangerously low blood pressure
In severe cases, sepsis can lead to septic shock and organ failure.
➡️ Urgent hospital treatment is always needed.
Remember: signs and symptoms
A helpful way to think about this:
- Signs = what you can see
- Symptoms = what the person is feeling
Signs and symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:
- Fever
- Cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
- Confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- Sensitivity to light
- Severe headache
- Severe muscle or joint pain
- Stiff neck
- Seizures or fits
- Bulging or tense soft spot on a baby’s head (fontanelle)
- Mottled skin or a rash that does not fade when pressed
(Use the “glass test” — roll a glass over the rash and see if it fades)
For people with darker skin tones, check paler areas such as: palms of the hands, soles of the feet, whites of the eyes, inside the eyelids
The most important message
DO NOT wait for all signs and symptoms to appear.
If you suspect meningitis or sepsis:
- Call 999 or 112 immediately, or
- Go straight to hospital
Trust your instincts. Acting quickly can save a life.
Download a free poster for your workplace here.
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