Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membrane lining the brain and spinal cord.

The most common form of meningitis is bacterial meningitis. It is life threatening if not properly treated, and it can develop and become deadly in just a few hours.

Common symptoms include a high fever, headache, sleepiness, joint and muscle pains. People may also experience a stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, crying, refusal to feed (in infants), a rash consisting of reddish-purple pin-prick spots or bruises.

Meningitis can affect anyone, but very young children, adolescents, and young adults are most at risk. It is spread in a similar way to the common cold – by coughing, sneezing, or from contact with saliva.

The best way to prevent bacterial meningitis is through vaccination. Young people living closely together, such as in boarding schools or tertiary education halls of residence, are at high risk and should be immunised.