You may have heard there have been a number of cases of meningococcal disease in Kent. Meningococcal disease is meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal bacteria.
The disease is very serious and can be potentially life threatening if not treated quickly, so early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital. The following information is from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
There are many strains of meningococcal infection. The UKHSA recommends having the MenACWY vaccine to protect yourself from meningococcal disease. Check the NHS website for more information.
Please be aware this vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningitis, including meningitis B, which is why it’s important to know how to spot the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.
If you think you or someone you know may have meningitis or sepsis (septicaemia) you should seek urgent medical advice immediately by calling NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999 for an ambulance.
What are the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia?
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
• a high temperature (fever)
• vomiting (being sick)
• a severe and worsening headache
• a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)
For sepsis (septicaemia), the most important signs to look out for are:
• fever and shivering
• severe pains and aches in limbs and joints
• vomiting
• very cold hands and feet
• pale or blotchy skin
• rapid breathing
• diarrhoea and stomach cramps
• red or purple ‘bruised’ or blotchy rash on skin that do not fade under pressure – do the glass test. On dark skin, check inside the eyelids or roof of the mouth where the spots may be more visible
• difficulty walking or standing
• severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
These symptoms can appear in any order and be mixed between the two illnesses. You do not always get all the symptoms.
Check the NHS website for more information about meningitis symptoms and sepsis (septicaemia) symptoms.
I think I have meningitis or sepsis (septicaemia), what should I do?
• If you think you or someone you know may have meningitis or sepsis (septicaemia) you should seek urgent medical advice immediately by calling NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999 for an ambulance.
I have been diagnosed with meningitis, what should I do?
People with suspected meningitis will usually need to have tests in hospital and may need to stay in hospital for treatment. If you are diagnosed with meningitis:
• Follow the advice of the healthcare professionals looking after you and be sure to take the time you need to rest and recover.
• Students should let their Personal Tutor or supervisor know, so they can support with any impact on their studies. Students can also submit a mitigating circumstances request if any of their assessed work is affected.
• If you are in a university residence, please email the Residences Team (resireports@kcl.ac.uk) so they can support you.
What should I do if I’ve been in contact with someone who has meningitis?
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. Most cases happen individually but outbreaks sometimes occur in educational settings or where people share living space, such as university halls.
If someone is thought to be at high risk of infection, they may be given a dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure. This may include anyone who's been in prolonged close contact with someone who developed meningitis, such as:
• people living in the same house
• university students sharing a hall of residence
• a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner
People who have only had brief contact with someone who developed meningitis will not usually need to take antibiotics.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person, as it happens when your body overreacts to an infection.
If you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis:
• Call NHS 111, get help from 111 online, or call your GP for advice if you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
Should I have the Meningitis ACWY vaccination?
The UK Government advises anyone under 25 who has not had the Meningitis ACWY vaccine (MenACWY) should ask their GP surgery or health centre for a vaccination appointment.
King's College Health Centre can provide this vaccination to registered patients:
• Call them on 02045 489842 to book this with a nurse if you are registered.
• If you are not registered with the Health Centre, you can register through their website.
Alternatively, your registered GP will be able to advise on where you can get the vaccination.
Read the UK Government’s MenACWY vaccine: information for young people for more information on who should have the vaccine.
I'm not sure if I've had the MenACWY vaccine. Should I get it anyway?
Is the MenACWY vaccine free?
You can get the MenACWY vaccine for free on the NHS.
International students under 25 and who have paid the surcharge to access NHS services are most likely eligible for the MenACWY vaccine. If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, you can pay to have one at the King’s Health Centre.
What is meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia)?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Septicaemia is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream to cause blood poisoning.
Both meningitis and septicaemia can trigger sepsis – which is an extreme immune response to an infection, which happens when the immune system overreacts and starts to damage the body's own tissues and organs.