14 symptoms of meningitis as UK faces another deadly outbreak – full list

Brits have been reminded to stay aware of the signs of meningitis after a new cluster of cases in Reading left one person dead and two others needing treatment. The latest cases, confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today, come weeks after an outbreak in Kent in which two people died and several others became ill. One of the cases detected in Reading has been confirmed as meningitis B - the same strain behind the cluster of cases in Kent. The student who died following the outbreak in Reading attended Henley College in Oxfordshire. The UKHSA says close contacts are being offered antibiotics as a precaution and stressed the risk to the wider public remains low. Meningitis can affect anyone but babies, young children, teenagers and university students are considered among the groups most at risk due to close contact in schools, nurseries and shared accommodation. There are several types of meningococcal disease including MenB, MenC, MenW and MenY, with vaccines available to help protect against some of the most serious strains. Meningitis symptoms can appear suddenly and in any order, according to the NHS . Some symptoms may not appear at all. When bacteria causing meningitis enter the bloodstream, they can trigger an overwhelming immune response, resulting in life-threatening sepsis. The NHS advises to seek medical help immediately if you're concerned about yourself or your child. Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include: a high temperature cold hands and feet vomiting diarrhoea confusion breathing quickly muscle and joint pain pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) headache a stiff neck a dislike of bright lights being very sleepy or difficult to wake fits (seizures) Babies may also: refuse feeds be irritable have a high-pitched cry have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly. While meningitis is often associated with having a rash, not everyone with the illness will develop one. In some cases, a rash may only appear in the later stages, while early marks can sometimes fade when pressure is applied. Health experts say people should not rely on the presence of a rash alone when looking for signs of meningitis, as symptoms can vary from person to person. Meningitis can be spread through close contact with a person who has the illness. This includes: contact with the person's spit, such as kissing them, or sharing drinks or vapes being in close contact with the person for a lot of time, such as living in the same home The infection is usually spread by those who carry the viruses or bacteria that cause meningitis in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common. There are several vaccinations available in the UK offering protection against meningitis. Children should receive most of these as part of the NHS vaccination schedule, but parents who are unsure if their child's vaccinations are up to date should contact their GP. The MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children in the UK. The vaccine is recommended for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year. Other vaccines that offer some protection against the illness include the 6-in-1 vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, MMRV vaccine and MenACWY vaccine. You can learn more about each vaccine on the NHS website here .