Meningitis
Find out what meningitis is, how to spot the symptoms, and what to do if you’re worried about someone.
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Request wellbeing supportOccasionally you might hear about cases of meningitis in the media. These situations can sound worrying, especially since they can develop quickly. While there are no reported cases in our student population, it’s helpful to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.
Common symptoms can include things like a high fever, a rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it, a stiff neck, bad headaches, being very sleepy, or feeling confused. Not everyone gets all the symptoms, so it’s good to know what to look out for.
If you’re not sure what the signs are—or just want to doublecheck—take a moment to look through the info from the NHS. It’s quick, easy to read, and could help you or someone around you get help fast.
There is also this informative video from Meningitis Now that you can watch:
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by different organisms, including bacteria and viruses. Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause Septicaemia (blood poisoning).
University students can be more vulnerable due to living in shared housing or halls of residence. In many cases young people come together from all over the country, and the world - to live in one place and can be exposed to bacteria and viruses their bodies have not met before. This is why so many new students get ‘fresher’s flu’. The early symptoms of meningitis are similar to many other common things, such as the flu, or maybe a hangover. It’s easy to mistake meningitis for something else.
How can you protect yourself?
The best way to protect yourself against this is to get your Men ACWY vaccine through your GP. This vaccine is FREE to any student who is under 25 and off to university for the first time. Any student who falls outside this category can still get this vaccination at a small charge.
For more information, please visit https://www.meningitisnow.org/get-support/supporting-young-people/
Medical Resources
GP Registration
One of the first things you should do when you move to Newcastle is to Register with a local GP. You can do this by visiting https://www.studentgpreg.org.uk/ and taking ten minutes to complete all the relevant information. If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please contact our colleagues at Involve North East by emailing beinvolved@involvene.org.uk with your query.
NHS App
After registering with a GP, you can also download the NHS app which can help you book appointments (if supported by your GP surgery) and give you instant access to your NHS health record.
Think Pharmacy First
Please be aware that for some healthcare queries, you do not need to book an appointment with your GP and can seek help from your local pharmacy. Find out about the health conditions pharmacists can treat.
If you find yourself needing urgent support, you can find a range of support resources here.