Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia develop suddenly. You or your child will usually not have every symptom.
The most well-known symptom is a rash. But symptoms can appear in any order. Do not wait for a rash to appear before you get medical help.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 for an ambulance immediately if:
- you think that you or your child are seriously ill
Or go to your nearest emergency department (ED) or ED for children.
Trust your instincts.
Check if it is meningitis or septicaemia
Think about meningitis and septicaemia if you or your child has any of these symptoms:
- a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
- a rash or spots - this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- feeling and being sick
- headache
- a stiff neck
- aches or pains - for example, stomach, joint or muscle pain
- breathing fast
- that they are bothered by bright light
- cold hands and feet or pale, mottled skin - this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- fits (seizures)
Other symptoms include:
- confusion
- drowsiness
- hard to wake them up
- irritability and a lack of energy
Babies may also:
- refuse feeds
- not take their usual feed
- be agitated
- not want to be picked up
- have a bulging soft spot on their head (fontanelle)
- have an unusual high-pitched cry
- have a stiff body
- be floppy or unresponsive
Compare the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia on Meningitis Research Foundation - meningitis.org
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP urgently if:
Urgent advice: Go to your nearest hospital ED or children's ED if:
- a GP or GP out of hours is not able to see you or your child urgently
- you’re unable to contact a GP
Some EDs in Dublin only see adults and some only see children. Outside of Dublin, children can go to any ED.
How to check for a rash
Check the whole body for a rash.
Important
A rash is not the only symptom to be concerned about. It may be the last symptom to appear and can spread very fast. Do not wait for a rash to appear before getting medical help.
Emergency action required: Call 999 or 112 now if:
- you think you or your child has meningitis or septicaemia
Or go to your nearest emergency department (ED) or ED for children.
Trust your instincts.