The NHS has said you should ‘trust your instincts’ and not wait for all symptoms to appear before seeking help
The mother of a 19-year-old who died shortly after returning from a music festival with a ‘headache’ said she thought her daughter had ‘overdone it’ at first.
Livia Wilson had attended Manchester’s Parklife festival in 2022 and died in her sleep a few days after returning home to York.
The 19-year-old had managed to make it to a shift at work before being sent home due to feeling unwell and went to bed saying she’d take a Covid test in the morning, but never woke up.
Her mum Alison Goude had to wait for weeks to find out what happened to her daughter, and was eventually told that Livia had contracted meningitis B, an infection which can be fatal.
What is meningitis?
The NHS has a list of signs to look out for when it comes to spotting the signs, though they warn that not all symptoms may present themselves and they say you should seek medical help immediately if you fear you have it.
Meningitis is often spread through mucus, so can be transmitted by sneezing, coughing and kissing, or by sharing straws in a drink, and it is usually spread by people who aren’t infected by the disease but have the bacteria from it in their nose or throat.
19-year-old Livia Wilson died after contracting meningitis B. (SWNS)
Around one in 10 cases of meningitis is fatal according to the NHS, and there are all sorts of signs which could appear in any order.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
A rash that starts as small red pinpricks and quickly spreads is considered one of the more common signs of meningitis, and patches of pale, mottled or blotchy skin should also be taken as potential signs.
According to health experts these signs can be harder to see on black and brown skin and you should pay particular attention to paler parts such as the palms of hands and soles of feet.
They recommend that you check a rash by pressing a glass against it, and if the spots don’t fade that could be a sign of sepsis which means you should seek medical attention right away.
Other signs to look out for are headaches, a feeling of confusion, a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, pain in the muscles and joints as well as a higher rate of breathing.
Meningitis may also result in a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, a feeling of sleepiness and seizures.
In 2015 a meningitis vaccine for babies was introduced. (Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Babies suffering from meningitis will also have some symptoms that may present themselves such as refusing food, being irritable with a high pitched cry, having either a stiff body or being floppy and unresponsive and in some cases having a bulging soft spot on the top of the head.
What to do if you suspect you have meningitis
The NHS stresses that meningitis can get worse very quickly so if you think you have it you should ‘trust your instincts’ and not wait for further symptoms to appear.
Instead you should either call 999 or get yourself to A&E as soon as possible.
Meningitis is an infection which attacks the brain and spinal cord, and the NHS estimates that between one third and one half of people who survive it will be left with a permanent affliction.
The health service says that around one in 10 cases are fatal, while some of those who survive will suffer from long-term heath issues like partial or total hearing loss, partial or total vision loss, epilepsy, problems with memory or learning, issues with co-ordination and balance as well as issues with the kidneys.
In some cases amputation of limbs is required to stop the infection from spreading.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS/Getty Stock Image
