SAMPFORD PEVERELL SURGERY

With meningitis any of the following symptoms could develop.  Act immediately if you are concerned, by contacting the Surgery - 01884 820304 or the Out Of Hours Service - 0845 6710 270

Babies under two

·          They can be difficult to wake

·          Their cry may be high pitched and different from normal

·          They may vomit repeatedly, not just after feeds

·          They refuse feeds, either from the bottle, the breast or by spoon

·          Their skin may appear pale or blotchy, possibly with a red or purple rash which does not fade when you press a glass tumbler or finger against it

·          The soft spot on the top of your baby’s head (the fontanelle) may be tight or bulging

·          The baby may seem irritable and may dislike being handled

·          The body may be floppy or else stiff with jerky movements

Remember, a fever may not be present in the early stages

Older Children and adults

They might have slightly different symptoms:

·          A constant generalised headache

·          A high temperature, although hands and feet may be cold

·          Vomiting

·          Drowsiness

·          Confusion

·          Sensitivity to bright lights, daylight or even the TV

·          Neck stiffness – moving their chin to their chest will be very painful at the back of the neck

·          A rash of red or purple spots or bruises which does not fade when you press a glass tumbler or finger against it.  The rash may not be present in the early stages

·          Joint or muscle pain

·          Rapid breathing

·          Stomach pain, sometimes with diarrhoea

Symptoms can appear in any order and not everyone gets all the symptoms

(Extract from the NHS Direct Self Help Guide  -  www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk  )