Meningitis

Watching Out for Your Friends

Students are one of the groups of people most vulnerable to meningitis. 1 in 4 students carry the bacteria which cause the disease compared to 1 in 10 of the rest of the population. It is important that you all keep an eye on each other. Meningitis is commonly missed because the symptoms of the sufferer are attributed to a hangover or flu. Always remember that meningitis is a possibility.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. It can kill or disable an individual within hours of them becoming ill. It is transported through saliva droplets, meaning that it can be spread through coughing or sneezing, kissing or poor hygiene.

Symptoms tend to appear two to ten days after contact with the disease. Outbreaks are more common in places where people live or work closely together – for example, in halls of residence. The symptoms are easily confused, especially among students, with hangovers and flu.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of meningitis are various, and will not always be present at the same time. They include:

  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness and confusion
  • Joint pain
  • Fitting
  • Aversion to light
  • Stomach cramps
  • Stiff neck
  • A rash which may appear anywhere on the body

You can test the rash to see if it is symptomatic of meningitis. Use a glass tumbler and press it against the marks of the rash. If the marks do not disappear under the glass, it is possible that the sufferer has meningitis or septicaemia.

If you or a friend is suffering from any or all of these symptoms, it is important that you contact a doctor straight away.

Other contact numbers are the National Meningitis Trust which runs a helpline on 01453 751738, or the Meningitis Research Fund which has a 24 hour support line on 0345 538118.

If you want to find out more about meningitis, go to the Meningitis Research Fund’s website – www.meningitis.org

Page Created: 13th Jun, 2007
Last Updated: 1:00am on 1st Jan, 1970 by Matthew Knight