First aid tips

M is for Meningitis

Meningitis is a potentially serious illness that can affect anyone. The term is used to describe a swelling of the tissue that surrounds the brain. This can be the result of a bacterial or viral infection. Always seek medical help if you suspect meningitis, as permanent brain damage may occur without immediate treatment. In some cases the condition can prove fatal.

Sometimes it is very difficult to detect meningitis in the early stages when a baby has a fever caused by a simple virus such as cold or flu. In this situation the baby will recover fairly quickly whereas in the case of meningitis the baby will continue to be floppy and listless and ‘not themselves’.

What’s happening?

The child in trouble may:

have a high temperature
experience flu-like symptoms
feel drowsy
vomit
have a headache
have a stiff neck
be sensitive to light
have a red or purple rash

Babies may be:

floppy
listless
reluctant to feed

A rash does not always appear with meningitis – it may develop late or not at all.

What to do

You can carry out a very simple test to help you to differentiate between a meningitis rash and any other rash. This test is called the ‘glass test’.
Place a tumbler type drinking glass over the child’s rash and apply pressure. In most cases the rash will disappear. In the case of meningitis the red or purple colour rash will remain.
Check for signs and symptoms described above.
Continue to monitor the child and if in any doubt seek medical advice immediately.
Keep the child comfortable somewhere cool.
Bathe the child’s forehead with a damp sponge or flannel.

Further help and advice

Find out more about first aid with the British Red Cross.

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This information has been written to provide general information only, and does not replace health or medical advice. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.