19th March 2026
We are sharing this information to help raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia. There is no outbreak affecting our setting, but understanding the signs can help keep everyone safe.
Both meningitis and septicaemia can develop quickly. Early symptoms may resemble common illnesses, so it’s important to know what to look out for and to act fast if you’re concerned.
Symptoms of Meningitis
Early symptoms can appear similar to colds or flu, but meningitis often progresses rapidly. Common signs include:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike of bright lights
- Rash
- Confusion or delirium
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Fits
If someone becomes unwell quickly or shows several of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of Septicaemia
Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is a medical emergency and can occur with or without meningitis. Look out for:
- Fever and shivering
- Vomiting
- Pale or blotchy skin
- Severe pains in limbs and joints
- Very cold hands and feet
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhoea and stomach cramps
- Difficulty walking or standing
- A red or purple rash that does not fade under pressure
- Severe sleepiness or loss of consciousness
- Fits
If a rash doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass, or if the person is deteriorating quickly, call for urgent medical help.
How Meningitis Spreads
- The bacteria that cause meningitis often live harmlessly in the nose or throat.
- Around 10% of people carry meningococcal bacteria at any one time.
- In rare cases, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause infection.
- Meningitis bacteria spread through close contact such as coughing, sneezing, or close/intimate kissing.
Meningococcal Vaccines
Vaccination provides important protection against the most common strains of meningococcal disease.
MenB Vaccine
- Protects against meningococcal group B.
- Offered to babies at 2, 3, and 12 months.
- Available privately for others.
- The second dose schedule was updated in July 2025 to increase protection for young children.
MenACWY Vaccine
- Protects against groups A, C, W and Y.
- Offered to young people around age 14.
- Anyone who missed this at school can still receive it up to age 25.
- Particularly important for new university students living in shared accommodation.
