The NHS has urged Brits to ensure they are vaccinated against a life-threatening illness. According to the health body, two groups are at “high risk” of this deadly infection.
In a post made to social media platform X, the NHS warned of the risks of meningitis. This is an infection of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord.
If left untreated it can lead to seizures, vision loss, sepsis and amputation among other complications. It can also prove fatal, with around one in 10 patients with bacterial meningitis dying.
On X, the NHS said: “Meningitis can be life-threatening and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.” It added: “Teenagers and young adults are at high risk of catching meningitis.”
The health body also urged people to find out more about the vaccines available for meningitis.
How meningitis is spread
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. On its website, the NHS notes that bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.
Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:
The NHS said: “Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.”
Symptoms of meningitis
Symptoms of meningitis develop “suddenly” and can include:
- A high temperature (fever)
- Being sick
- A 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)
These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.
When to get medical help
The NHS says you should call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E “immediately” if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis. It said: “Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops.
“Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly. Call NHS 111 for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
“If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.”
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Vaccines
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis. These include the:
- MenB vaccine – offered to babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year
- 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- pneumococcal vaccine – two doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
- Hib/MenC vaccine – offered to babies at one year of age (if they were born on or before 30 June 2024)
- MMR vaccine – offered to babies at one year and a second dose at three years and four months
- MenACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers and “fresher” students going to university for the first time
For more information, visit the NHS website here.