Meningococcal

What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms vary by age group and can be difficult to identify in infants aged 1 and younger.

Below is a general guide for symptoms.

Infants (<1 year old)

• Fever (early sign)
• Poor feeding
• High pitched crying
• Rash or pale blotchy skin
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Bulging fontanel (soft spot)
• Lethargic
• Rapid breathing

Children (>1 year old)

• Fever
• Severe headache
• Sensitive to light
• Difficult to wake or drowsy
• Blank staring expression
• Neck stiffness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash that doesn’t fade when pressed (late symptom)
• Irritability

Meningococcal Septicaemia

Meningococcal septicaemia is a form of meningococcal disease. Both forms can occur together or separately and both are medical emergencies.

Signs and Symptoms*

• Cold hands and feet
• Shivering and shaking
• Severe muscle pain
• Extreme tiredness or drowsiness
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Abdominal pain
• Rapid breathing or shallow breathing
• Seizures
• Rash that doesn't fade when pressed
• Babies may be floppy, hard to wake, or refuse feeds

*These symptoms may be a later sign of meningococcal and require urgent medical treatment. Go to your nearest emergency department or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.