Rash

Fever/vomiting

Cold hands and feet

Rapid breathing

Stomach/joint/muscle pain

Drowsiness/losing consciousness

Headache

Stiff neck

Dislike of bright lights

Symptoms can appear in any order. Not everyone gets all symptoms. Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis. Headaches and fever are also symptoms of common infection.

Babies

As well as the symptoms shown opposite babies may also suffer from:

Tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the baby's head)

Blotchy or pale skin

Refusing to feed

Fretfulness with a shrill or moaning cry when picked up

A stiff body with jerky movements or a floppy body

If you think someone has meningitis or septicaemia contact your GP immediately.