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If you or your child has any of these symptoms, get treatment straight away. Early treatment is important.

If you have meningococcal meningitis, you may have:^{1 2}

• A high fever
• A headache
• A stiff neck
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Trouble looking at bright lights
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Seizures
• A rash.

If you have meningococcal septicemia you may have:³

• A high fever
• Cold hands and feet
• Shivering
• Very rapid breathing
• Painful joints and muscles
• Sleepiness
• A rash.

People with meningococcal disease often get a particular kind of rash. To test whether a rash is caused by meningococcal bacteria, you can press a glass against it. If you can still see the rash through the glass, there's a high chance that it's a meningococcal rash.⁴

It's important to remember that not everyone who gets meningitis or septicemia has a rash. It's an important symptom, but you shouldn't delay getting medical help just because someone doesn't have a rash.

Babies and children under 2 may not have these symptoms. Instead they may:^{5 6}

• Be slow, sleepy or irritable
• Vomit, or feed poorly
• Cry a lot (moaning or high-pitched crying)
• Have a fever, but look pale or blotchy
• Have a bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on their head
• Be stiff, jerky, or have seizures.

If you or your child has any of these symptoms get treatment right away. Do not delay. Go to the nearest emergency room or call an emergency number such as 911 right away.

Early treatment, including antibiotics, is very important.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.