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Warning-sign checks

Pneumococcal meningitis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services or go to an emergency department immediately if you or someone else may have meningitis.

    Warning signs include fever with a severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, seizure, or difficulty waking.

    Babies need emergency assessment for signs such as poor feeding with unusual sleepiness, a high-pitched cry, marked irritability, a bulging soft spot, seizures, or being unusually floppy or stiff.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Do not wait for a rash or for every typical symptom to appear.

    Do not drive yourself if you are confused, severely drowsy, having seizures, or rapidly becoming more unwell.

    After leaving hospital, seek urgent medical care for returning fever, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, new weakness, confusion, seizure, fluid leaking from the nose or ear, or increasing difficulty staying awake.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for ongoing tiredness, mild concentration problems, hearing concerns, mood changes, or difficulty returning to usual activities when these are stable rather than rapidly worsening.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pneumococcal meningitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.