As the meningitis outbreak continues to grip Kent, a concerted effort is being made to educate the public about the differences between meningitis and septicaemia. During today’s (March 18) Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, saying, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the two young individuals who tragically lost their lives to the meningitis B outbreak in Kent.”

He added, “Others remain seriously ill, and this is undoubtedly a challenging time for their loved ones. Health experts are actively identifying those in close contact with the affected individuals, administering antibiotics, and are set to initiate a targeted vaccination programme shortly.”

Concerns have been raised about the potential spread of the infection. Sir Keir highlighted two pressing questions: “One, whether individuals currently harboring the infection might have traveled elsewhere and become ill,” referencing a case of a person connected to Canterbury who sought medical care at a London hospital, as reported by the Mirror. “The other concern is the possibility of secondary cases emerging from those affected, which remains a possibility.”

Professor Hunter commented on the uncertainty surrounding the strain responsible for this outbreak, saying, “It is not yet clear how prevalent this strain has been in recent years. Without that information, making definitive predictions is challenging, though the risk of a broader spread appears low.” He noted that research is ongoing to assess the strain’s severity.

Prof. Hunter assured that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is adhering to established protocols for managing clusters of invasive meningococcal disease. “Given the current situation, it’s difficult to determine what additional measures could be implemented,” he remarked.

What are the differences between meningitis and septicaemia?

Despite the low overall risk to the public, meningococcal disease can escalate swiftly and pose serious health threats. It is imperative for individuals to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek medical attention promptly. Early intervention is critical and can be lifesaving.

Meningitis can lead to septicaemia. The germs that cause meningitis, especially bacteria like meningococcus, can enter the bloodstream and trigger a serious immune reaction. This can result in organ damage or even death. These two conditions often occur at the same time, and symptoms such as fever and rashes can appear quickly.

The NHS says: “Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia (sometimes called blood poisoning) occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread through the body. Both conditions can progress rapidly and require urgent medical attention”.

What are the early symptoms?

Whilst symptoms can appear in any order, according to the NHS, early symptoms can feel similar to flu or other common illnesses. These may include:

• fever
• vomiting
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• cold hands and feet
• feeling unusually tired or unwell

Symptoms can worsen quickly. It is important to keep checking on anyone who feels unwell.

Symptoms of meningitis

• severe sleepiness or difficulty waking
• fever
• severe headache
• stiff neck
• vomiting
• sensitivity to bright lights
• confusion or delirium
• seizures (fits)

Symptoms of septicaemia

• fever and shivering
• severe pain in muscles, joints or limbs
• vomiting
• very cold hands and feet
• pale, blotchy or mottled skin
• rapid breathing
• diarrhoea or stomach cramps
• a red or purple rash that does not fade when pressed
• difficulty walking or standing
• severe sleepiness or loss of consciousness

The NHS says: “Not everyone will have all symptoms, and they can appear in any order.”