UKHSA issues meningitis health alert: Signs and symptoms to look out for
The UKHSA has issued an alert for the NHS across England on signs and symptoms of meningitis to look out for.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today (March 18) issued an alert for the NHS across England following the Kent meningitis outbreak. The information includes the signs and symptoms to look out for and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
The alert said the illness being seen in the Kent outbreak “has been severe with rapid deterioration”. It urges clinical staff to take infection control measures in the period before patients are put on antibiotics, such as the use of face masks and other (PPE). Staff should “continue transmission-based precautions until the patient has been established on antibiotics for at least 24 hours”.
The alert also urges doctors to have a “high index of suspicion where a young person aged 16 to 30 attends with consistent signs or symptoms”. And it warns that staff should not wait for a rash to appear but should consider meningitis in “a rapidly deteriorating patient with sepsis”.
Meningitis symptoms and what to do if you think you have it
Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis can include a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, muscle and joint pain, pale, mottled or blotchy skin, spots or a rash, a headache, a stiff neck, aversion to bright lights, being very sleepy and seizures.
The UKHSA has urged those who think they may have symptoms to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111.