Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Meningitis

Meningitis is serious inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can worsen quickly. Severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, drowsiness, sensitivity to light, confusion or an unwell child must be taken seriously immediately. Do not wait for a rash: there may be none. Suspected meningitis or meningococcal disease needs prompt emergency care.

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  • Meningitis is serious inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. The bacterial form in particular can quickly become life-threatening.
  • Symptoms may start like flu but become much more severe within hours. This makes quick action important.
  • Do not wait for a rash. A rash does not have to be present for an infection to be dangerous.
  • Babies, young children, older people and people with a weakened immune system may have different or less typical signs.
  • Suspected meningitis needs prompt emergency care: your GP (family doctor) or HAP 9252, the out-of-hours GP service, for immediate assessment, and Ambulance 912 in an immediate life-threatening emergency.

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Further reading

Browse A–Z
A
AppendicitisAppendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that needs urgent care. Pain often starts around the belly button and moves to the lower right side. Symptoms may worsen quickly and hospital treatment is usually needed.
C
Childhood illnesses with rashesRashes in children are often caused by a virus and usually clear up on their own, but not every rash is harmless. Pay particular attention to purple or red spots that do not fade under pressure, unusual drowsiness, difficulty breathing, a stiff neck or rapidly worsening illness: these may indicate meningococcal disease or sepsis and need immediate emergency help. Measles and rubella are especially important during pregnancy and in people with a weakened immune system. Have your child assessed if you are unsure, especially with a high fever, dehydration or if they look ill.
R
Ruptured brain aneurysmA ruptured weak spot in a blood vessel in the head is usually a ruptured brain aneurysm. This causes sudden bleeding around the brain. The classic symptom is an extremely severe headache that starts very suddenly and reaches maximum intensity within seconds to minutes. This is an emergency: call Ambulance 912 immediately.