Rash That Doesn't Fade
Red or purple spots that don't disappear when pressed with a glass
Stiff Neck
Unable to touch chin to chest, neck feels stiff and painful
Severe Headache
Intense, unusual headache unlike anything before
Sensitivity to Light
Eyes hurt in bright light, prefer to be in darkness
Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting, especially with headache
High Fever
High temperature, possibly with cold hands and feet
🥛 The Glass Test
- Press a clear glass firmly against the rash
- If the rash doesn't fade and you can still see it through the glass — this could be meningitis
- Call 999 immediately
Important: The rash can be harder to see on darker skin — check lighter areas like palms, soles of feet, inside eyelids, or roof of mouth.
Don't Wait for All Symptoms
Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. If you're worried — call 999.
📞 Call 999👶 Babies & Young Children — Different Signs
- Bulging fontanelle (soft spot on head)
- High-pitched, moaning cry
- Floppy and unresponsive, or stiff with jerky movements
- Refusing to feed
- Pale, blotchy skin
- Dislike of being handled
- Blank, staring expression
🔴 Trust Your Instincts
- Meningitis can develop very quickly — within hours
- Early symptoms can look like flu
- If someone is getting worse quickly, call 999
- Don't wait for the rash — it doesn't always appear
- "They've never been this ill" — trust that feeling
✅ What to Do While Waiting
- Call 999 and say you suspect meningitis
- Keep them comfortable in a dimly lit room
- Stay with them and monitor for changes
- Note the time symptoms started
- Be ready to describe symptoms to paramedics
