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Meningitis — Warning Signs Not to Miss
What to do
- Know the pattern: meningitis and septicemia (blood poisoning from the same bacteria) usually start with fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, confusion or drowsiness — but not all signs appear, and in babies signs are vaguer: fever or low temperature, refusal to feed, a high-pitched cry, floppiness or stiffness, a bulging soft spot, and being hard to wake.
- Check for the rash: small red or purple pinpricks or bruise-like spots that do not fade when pressed. Do the glass test — press a clear glass firmly against the rash; if the spots do not fade under pressure, treat it as an emergency sign. On darker skin, check paler areas such as palms, soles and inside the eyelids.
- Call 911 immediately if you suspect meningitis or septicemia. Do not wait for the rash to appear — it can be late or absent.
- While waiting, keep the person comfortable and cool if feverish, give nothing that could mask deterioration unless advised, and monitor response and breathing.
- Note when symptoms started and any recent illness, and tell the ambulance crew — early antibiotics matter.
- If the person becomes unresponsive, place them in the recovery position if breathing, and start CPR if breathing stops normally.
What NOT to do
- Do not wait for every classic sign — meningitis can kill within hours and the full picture may never appear.
- Do not be reassured by the absence of a rash.
- Do not delay the emergency call to give medicine first.
- Do not assume a baby's fever is 'just a virus' if they are floppy, hard to wake, not feeding, or have a bulging fontanelle.
When to get medical care
Call 911 now for: fever with a non-fading rash; severe headache with stiff neck, light sensitivity or confusion; a baby who is floppy, unresponsive, not feeding, has a high-pitched cry or a bulging soft spot; cold hands and feet with fever and leg pains (early septicemia signs); or anyone becoming rapidly more unwell with fever. Trust your instinct — a parent who says 'this is different' should be taken seriously.
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
How does the glass test work?
In the septicemia rash, tiny blood vessels leak blood into the skin, so the spots do not blanch (fade) when pressed — unlike most viral rashes, which fade briefly under pressure. Press a clear glass firmly on the spots: no fading means call 911 immediately. Never wait for a rash if other meningitis signs are present.
Can adults get meningitis?
Yes, although babies, young children and teenagers/young adults are at highest risk. Adult signs are more often the classic fever, severe headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity and confusion. Vaccination has reduced several bacterial causes but has not eliminated the disease.
In an emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) first — do not delay a call to read a guide. These pages are educational first-aid information in general terms; they are not a substitute for emergency services, first-aid training, or assessment by a qualified clinician.
