Meningitis and septicaemia are life threatening illnesses where early detection can make all the difference. The picture shown below outlines some of the features that may suggest meningitis or septicaemia as a possible diagnosis.
Download a printable version of the wallet sized symptoms cards.
Dr Patel has also looked at some of the smart phone apps available for android or iphone, he recommends getting the simple to use app from meningitisnow.org:
App features
- A full list of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia
- Information on the after-effects of the disease
- Details of all our free services
- Links to find your nearest A&E or GP in an emergency
these can be downloaded for free for your device using the following links:
Download the meningitis symptoms Android app
Download the meningitis symptoms iPhone and iPad app
Meningitis Symptoms
- Fever/vomiting
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike of bright lights
- Very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake
- Confused/delirious
- Rash
- Seizures
Septicaemia symptoms
- Fever/vomiting
- Limb/joint/muscle pain
- Cold hands and feet/shivering
- Pale or mottled skin
- Breathing fast/breathless
- Rash
- Very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake
- Confused/delirious
Symptoms can appear in any order. Not everyone gets all these symptoms.
Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis.
Other symptoms in babies:
- Tense or bulging soft spot
- Refusing to feed
- Irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry
- Stiff body with jerky movements, or floppy and lifeless
If under 3 months fever often absent.