Meningitis outbreak: Symptoms, how to test and what to avoid after two die in Kent

Two people have died following an outbreak of “invasive” meningitis in Kent.

At least 13 cases of meningitis have been reported by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) between Friday and Sunday.

The specific strain of meningitis has not yet been identified. Health officials are arranging antibiotics for University of Kent students in the Canterbury area as a precautionary measure.

People are being advised to be vigilant for symptoms amid a warning that university students are particularly susceptible to the deadly infection.

Here are the symptoms of meningitis and what to do if you suspect you have the infection, according to the NHS.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges – the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. It’s estimated up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal, according to the NHS.

Although anyone can get meningitis, it is more common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Early warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps.

As the condition develops, it can make people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights and convulsions or seizures.

Meningitis Now urges people not to wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms.

What causes meningitis?

There are many different causes of meningitis, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, in the UK, viruses and bacteria are the most common causes.

Other causes of meningitis include some medicines or brain tumours. It can also occur following a skull fracture or head and neck surgery, according to Meningitis Now.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

What are the different strains?

There are five main strains that cause disease in the UK.

Men B, which is a bacteria, is the most common strain and also the most deadly.

Other strains include MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY, which are also caused by bacteria.

How does meningitis spread?

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing.

It is usually caught from those who carry the viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, or from someone with meningitis, though this is less common.

How serious is meningitis?

If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to sepsis, brain or nerve damage, hearing loss or even death.

Some with bacterial meningitis can be left with hearing or vision loss, problems with memory, fits or loss of limbs, even after being treated.

Can meningitis be treated?

Those with viral meningitis will usually get better on their own.

Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery. However, it usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week.

Treatments include antibiotics and fluids given directly into a vein or oxygen through a face mask.

Are there vaccines for meningitis?

There are vaccines available to prevent some types of meningitis which are available as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule.

Vaccines include the MenB, 6-in-1, pneumococcal and MMRV vaccines for babies and children, while the MenACWY jabs are offered to teenagers, sixth-form students and new university students.

The MenB vaccine is offered to babies at two, three and 12 months.

Men W disease has historically been rare in the UK, but from 2009, cases of MenW began to increase year on year. From Autumn 2015, a MenACWY vaccine replaced the MenC vaccine for children in school and is offered around 14 years of age.

Any young person who has missed this vaccine at school, remains eligible to receive it up to the age of 25 years. This is especially important for new university entrants, for whom the risk of contracting meningococcal disease increases.

What should you do if you think you have meningitis?

The NHS recommends that people call 999 for an ambulance or go to their nearest A&E.

People are advised to trust their instincts, as someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.