NI freshers warned over deadly meningitis risk
As Freshers’ Week approaches, a new cohort of first-year university students are preparing to move into halls and mingle with other young people from across the country.
Illnesses can quickly spread within these melting pot environments and meningitis, in particular, will understandably be a big concern for new undergraduates, after the devastating impact of the disease hit headlines earlier this year.
We spoke to Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive officer at Meningitis Now, who has outlined what you need to know about meningitis, including the symptoms to look out for and how to protect yourself, to help concerned students and parents feel more informed and prepared for the upcoming term.
What is meningitis?
“Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes that protect the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is most commonly caused either by bacteria or a virus that gets passed from person to person,” explains Nutt.
Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be very serious if not treated quickly.
“These bacteria are often carried harmlessly by many people at the back of their nose and throats, but meningitis strikes when that bacteria crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes inflammation,” says the doctor.
“One in 10 people affected by bacterial meningitis will die, and the disease can kill people within 24 hours or less. So, it’s although it’s a relatively rare disease, it’s truly devastating when it strikes.”
What symptoms should you look out for?
“Early signs of meningitis are unfortunately really easy to confuse with colds, flu, or hangovers, and that’s because it can present with symptoms like a headache, a high temperature, cold hands and feet, confusion, disorientation, and vomiting,” says Nutt. As the disease progresses, more well-known signs start to appear.
“This includes an aversion to bright lights, a stiff neck, and in some cases a rash can appear on the skin which doesn’t disappear when pressure is applied,” notes the doctor.
However, he highlights that not all of these symptoms will appear, and won’t necessarily appear in a particular order.
“What you’re really looking out for is someone who is unwell and is deteriorating rapidly,” says Nutt.
In these situations, he recommends seeking medical help. Call 111, go to A&E or, if you’re really worried, call 999,” advises Nutt.
How it is diagnosed and treated?
“Meningitis is normally diagnosed with a test. Doctors will take a sample through a lumbar puncture, and that will confirm whether there is a bacteria present in the cerebral spinal fluid,” says Nutt.
“However, you don’t necessarily want to wait for these test results to receive treatment.”
The treatment for meningitis depends on the cause.
Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within seven to 10 days and can often be treated at home with plenty of rest, painkillers and anti-sickness medicine, according to the NHS website.
However, bacterial meningitis needs to be treated in hospital with antibiotics.
“If antibiotics are given in a timely fashion, then outcomes really do improve – in terms of saving lives and reducing the likelihood of after effects,” says Nutt.
Who is more at risk?
“The most at-risk group of meningitis are infants and toddlers because their immune systems aren’t developed, which is why we give vaccines to babies in those early months,” says Nutt.
The doctor highlights that the second most at-risk group within the general population is teenagers and young adults, particularly people going off to university.
“Around one in 10 of the general population will carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis at the back of their nose and throats, but within the student population this can increase to around one in four,” says Nutt.
He adds that this figure can be even higher within the first few weeks and months of term, because students from different parts of the country come together on a university campus and mix – sharing food, drinks, cigarettes etc.
“This close contact makes it more likely that they will transmit the bacteria from person to person,” says Nutt.
Is there any way to reduce the risk of meningitis or prevent it?
“The good news is that many forms of meningitis are preventable with vaccines. There are a number of vaccines on the NHS, and they are safe and effective at preventing meningitis,” says Nutt.
According to the NHS website, the MenB vaccine is now offered until March 2027 to young people who were born:
l between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008;
l on or after July 21, 2001 and are starting university, or starting at some further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026 and living at further education accommodation.
The MenB vaccine involves two doses that are given at least four weeks apart.
“It’s really important that people take both jabs to get full protection,” says Nutt. “Ideally, you should have your second jab a few weeks before you go to university in order for it to take effect for freshers.”
If you fall outside of the eligibility criteria, there are other ways to get the vaccine.
“It is available privately, so you can pay a pharmacy for that vaccine, so that’s something that people might want to consider. However, it’s not a cheap vaccine and varies in price,” says Nutt.