Home > News > Meningitis outbreak: signs and symptoms

Published: 18 Mar 2026

You may have read about a recent outbreak of meningitis.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that some of these cases are the Men B strain, which is not covered by the MenACWY vaccine routinely offered to teenagers – so knowing the symptoms and seeking early treatment are important.

Symptoms of meningitis can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. In the early stages, there may not be a rash, or the rash may fade when pressure is applied.

You should get medical help immediately if you’re concerned about yourself or your child.

Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops.

Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:

  • a high temperature
  • cold hands and feet
  • vomiting
  • 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.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

Call NHS 111 for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious.

If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.

The rash usually starts as small, red pinpricks before spreading quickly and turning into red or purple blotches.

It does not fade if you press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin.

The rash can be harder to see on brown or black skin. Check paler areas, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, roof of the mouth, tummy, whites of the eyes or the

If a rash does not fade under a glass, it can be a sign of sepsis (sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning) caused by meningitis and you should call 999 straight away.