Alton Street Surgery Patient Information Leaflet

Meningitis

What is meningitis?
Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges. These are the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

What causes meningitis?
Meningitis can be caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses. Bacterial meningitis is more serious than viral meningitis.

Who gets meningitis?
Anyone can get meningitis, but it is most common in the under fives, those in the 14-to-25 age group, and the over 55s.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?
In adults and older children, symptoms include: raised temperature, vomiting, severe headache, dislike of bright lights, neck stiffness, joint, muscle or stomach pains, drowsiness, confusion and fitting.

In babies, symptoms include: fever with cold hands and feet, refusing feeds, vomiting, high-pitched cry and lethargy.

Both adults and babies can also develop a rash, which is caused by leaking blood vessels under the surface of the skin. Characteristically, this rash does not fade if a glass is pressed on to it. If the rash appears, this is a sign of a serious condition known as meningococcal septicaemia.

What should I do if I think someone has meningitis?
If you suspect someone has meningitis, contact a doctor immediately. If necessary, go straight to your nearest accident and emergency department.

How is meningitis treated?
Meningitis is treated with antibiotics.

Is there a vaccine?
At present, there are vaccines available that protect against meningitis caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacterium, and Neisseria meningitides groups A and C bacteria. Hib and Group C vaccines are now routinely offered to all children and young adults.

Useful sources of information:
The National Meningitis Trust, Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud GL5 3TJ. Telephone: 01453 768 000. Website: http://www.meningitis-trust.org.uk
The Meningitis Research Foundation, Midland Way, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BS. Telephone: 01454 281811
Website: http://www.meningitis.org.uk
The Meningitis Research Foundation Scottish office, 133 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh EH3 9PP. Telephone: 0131 228 3322
The Meningitis Research Foundation Northern Ireland office, 71 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL. Telephone: 028 9032 1283

This patient informationleaflet has been adapted from an original published by Clinnix Pro, SynigencePLC