MANY readers will have seen the recent good news about new vaccines for meningitis for babies and students.

These new vaccines do not mean meningitis is beaten and we would urge parents, students and teachers to be vigilant to the signs and symptoms and download our free mobile app or request a symptoms card.

Meningitis is a disease that can kill within hours, so knowledge of the symptoms, vigilance and quick action are vital.

Symptoms can include fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, joint or muscle pain, pale blotchy skin, drowsiness and confusion, and in babies, a dislike of being handled, an unusual cry, rapid breathing and bulging fontanelle.

Meningitis Now’s free signs and symptoms phone app and credit card-sized signs and symptoms cards for people to keep in a purse are available by calling freephone 0808 80 10 388, or visiting the website meningitisnow.org.

Sue Davie
Meningitis Now