Meningitis

Outbreaks of meningitis almost always make the headlines. But what is it, what does meningitis rash look like and what can you do if you catch it? Read on to find out all you need to know. 

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a disease that’s often misunderstood, but should be treated with caution. It’s an infection of the membranes covering the spinal cord and the brain and, in some cases, can be life threatening.

What does meningitis rash look like?

One of the main symptoms of meningitis is a red or purple rash. Starting with one or two meningitis spots, the rash can spread to all parts of the body often turning into bruise-like blotches. Meningitis rash won’t fade under pressure. 

There is a clever meningitis rash glass test where you press a clear glass firmly on one of the blotches. If it doesn’t fade this could be a sign of meningitis and you should seek medical help immediately. However this can be harder to see on darker skin, so check for spots on paler areas such as the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.

The NHS has some pictures of meningitis rash here.

The symptoms of meningitis

Other than the rash, meningitis is not always easy to recognise and symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all, so it’s important to ask your doctor (GP) for advice if you have any worries. If you’ve not seen a GP in a while and don’t know what to do, read our ‘I need to see a doctor’ article.

Early warning symptoms of meningitis include:

• Leg pains.
• Cold hands or feet – even if the person has a high temperature.
• Pale or blue colour of the skin and around the lips.

Other meningitis symptoms can be:

• Stiff neck.
• Headache – which can become a migraine.
• Fever and shivering – but often with cold hands and feet.
• Breathing problems.
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints.
• Vomiting.
• Dislike of bright lights.
• Drowsiness and confusion.

These symptoms can develop quickly or slowly, and can occur in any order or not at all. Some of these symptoms are hard to distinguish from the flu or coronavirus, but if they become worse or progress quickly then it could be meningitis.

What are the types of meningitis?

If you suspect you have meningitis it’s important to know if it’s the viral or bacterial variety as the seriousness of each can vary.

Viral Meningitis: is more common, relatively mild and usually clears up within a week or two. A variety of viruses can travel to the membranes and cause inflammation including mumps, herpes, chickenpox and flu. But don’t worry – most people make a full recovery.

Bacterial Meningitis: is less common, but much more serious. Around four in 100,000 people will suffer from this disease every year. Up to one in four people are carriers, but many people have a natural immunity. Children under five and teenagers aged 15-17 are most at risk, so it’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms.

Bacterial meningitis sometimes causes a type of blood poisoning called septicaemia, where bacteria or their toxins enter the bloodstream and the rest of the body. Septicaemia is a very serious condition that can be fatal.

Both types can present with a rash, but viral meningitis rash is normally quite different to the rash seen in bacterial meningitis. It should go without saying, however, that you should be getting this diagnosis from a doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms. 

It is also important to remember that a viral meningitis rash or a bacterial meningitis rash won’t always appear, but you might still have the disease. 

Meningitis W

Teenagers and new students are being encouraged to get the Men ACWY vaccine to protect themselves from an aggressive strain of meningitis W bacteria. The vaccine protects against the A, C, W and Y strains of the disease that can potentially cause disability or death. The number of cases of meningitis W has recently increased dramatically and young people are most at risk. If you haven’t got the Men ACWY vaccine yet, speak to your GP.

How to prevent meningitis

The bacteria causing bacterial meningitis are spread by close contact with the dischargers from the nose or throat of a carrier. However, as some people are simply immune to the illness, it’s pretty hard to tell who to avoid. But being able to recognise the symptoms can help prevent any serious damage. Once a person is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis doctors will vaccinate people who have been in close contact with them. This should include housemates, boyfriends and girlfriends.

Concerned about your body? Check out the rest of our body problems resources here.