🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 171 (from laksa058)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa171.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/","crawl_time":1775917213,"first_indexed_time":1762520629,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,meningitis!www,\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/ s443","src_root_hash":"4439185864036695571","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Meningitis and sepsis symptoms - Meningitis Research Foundation","meta_descriptions":["Meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours, so it’s very important you know the symptoms and can spot them early. Learn about them here."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"What is meningitis?\nMeningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges.\nWhat is sepsis?\nSepticaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.\nBoth meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast.\nFever and\/or vomiting\nMeningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\nSevere headache\nMeningitis ✓\nLimb \/ joint \/ muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain \/ diarrhoea)\nSepsis* ✓\nCold hands and feet \/ shivering\nSepsis* ✓\nPale or mottled skin\nSepsis ✓\nBreathing fast \/ breathless\nSepsis ✓\nRash (anywhere on the body)\nMeningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓\nStiff neck (less common in young children)\nMeningitis* ✓\nDislike of bright lights (less common in young children)\nMeningitis* ✓\nVery sleepy \/ vacant \/ difficult to wake\nMeningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\nConfused \/ delirious\nMeningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓\nSeizures (fits)\nMeningitis* ✓\nIf I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital?\nSomeone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional.\nThe first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.\nIt is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order.\nWhat to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia\nParents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis).\nThat is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do.\nOver 38°C in babies under three months.\nHas a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch \/ very cold hands and feet.\nVery fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing.\nGrunting and \/ or noises with every breath.\nVery lethargic \/ difficult to wake \/ not responding.\nFitting \/ convulsion \/ seizures.\nWeak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child.\nConfusion or unusually irritable.\nSoft spot on a baby’s head is bulging.\nStiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down.\nUnusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby.\nBlue skin, lips or tongue.\nVery pale or mottled skin.\nA rash that \ndoes not\nfade when pressed with a glass.\nNot had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more.\nVery thirsty and not able to keep fluids down.\nBloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick.\nYoung infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever:\nPersistent refusal to feed.\nLethargic \/ excessively sleepy.\nIrritable.\nStiff or floppy body.\nWeak \/ high pitched or continuous cry.\nGrunting.\nSoft spot on the baby’s head is bulging.\nSome of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help.\nRemember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor.\nOver 39°C in babies aged three to six months.\nHigh temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days.\nLow temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period).\nFast breathing.\nCough that sounds like a seal barking.\nNoisy or crackly breathing.\nNostrils are flaring.\nIn an older child, they can’t say more than a few words.\nUnusually sleepy.\nChild can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything \/ not wanting to do very much.\nNot responding normally to family or carers.\nChild under five not smiling.\nShivering or shaking.\nSevere headache.\nDislike of bright lights.\nLimb \/ joint \/ muscle pain.\nNot using \/ putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot.\nSwelling of a limb or joint.\nPale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five.\nSunken eyes.\nRash that \ndoes\nfade when pressed with a clear glass.\nNot feeding or eating much.\nNot drinking for more than eight hours (when awake).\nDry mouth.\nUnder one year old with vomiting and \/ or diarrhoea.\nVomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit.\nMore than five watery poos in a 24 hour period.\nOnly one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours.\nYou may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if:\nYou feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\nYou are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\nYou are concerned that you are unable to look after your child.\nWhat is the meningitis rash?\nIf you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, \ndon’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help\n. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test.\nThe tumbler test\nPress a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass\n get urgent medical help immediately.\nCheck the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.\nThe darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth.\nRemember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all. \nMore on what is the meningitis rash\n.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#main)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/themes\/honeycom3\/assets\/images\/logo.png) Meningitis Research Foundation](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/)\n\n- [About meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/)\n  - - [What are the symptoms of meningitis?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/)\n      - [Symptoms in babies](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/babies\/)\n      - [Symptoms in toddlers](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/toddlers\/)\n      - [Symptoms in young adults](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/young-adults\/)\n    - [Using data to defeat meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/using-data-to-defeat-meningitis\/)\n      - [Meningitis Progress Tracker](https:\/\/tracker.meningitis.org\/)\n    - [Bacterial meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/bacterial-meningitis\/)\n    - [Viral meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/viral-meningitis\/)\n    - [Fungal meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/fungal-meningitis\/)\n    - [Meningitis after-effects](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/meningitis-after-effects\/)\n    - [Am I at risk from meningitis?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/am-i-at-risk-from-meningitis\/)\n    - [What vaccines can protect me?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/vaccines\/)\n- [Get support](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/help-and-support\/support-services\/)\n  - - [Help and support](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/help-and-support\/)\n      - [Meningitis after-effects](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/meningitis-after-effects\/)\n      - [Living with bereavement](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/help-and-support\/living-with-bereavement\/)\n      - [Medical Advisory Group](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/medical-advisory-group\/)\n    - [Get more information](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/get-more-information\/)\n      - [Information to download](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/downloadable-materials\/?library-type=&library-topic=298&language=&search=1)\n      - [Request printed material](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/get-more-information\/request-printed-material\/)\n      - [Requests for outreach](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/get-more-information\/requests-for-outreach\/)\n      - [Events](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/get-more-information\/events\/)\n    - [Meningitis voices](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/voices\/)\n      - [Your stories](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/meningitis-in-your-words-home\/)\n      - [Videos](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/voices\/meningitis-and-me\/)\n      - [Ambassadors](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/voices\/ambassadors\/)\n- [Get involved](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/)\n  - - [Ways to give](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/ways-to-give\/)\n      - [Donate](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/ways-to-give\/donate\/)\n      - [In memory giving](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/ways-to-give\/donate-in-memory\/)\n      - [Gifts in Wills](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/ways-to-give\/leave-a-legacy-gift-in-your-will\/)\n      - [Shop](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/shop\/)\n      - [Corporate giving](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/corporate-giving\/)\n      - [Philanthropy](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-involved\/philanthropy\/)\n    - 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[instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/meningitis_research\/)\n\n![A set of icons displaying symptoms of meningitis.](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/symptoms-header-toddler_sml-2.jpg)\n\n# Meningitis and sepsis symptoms\nMeningitis and sepsis can kill in hours, so it's very important you know the symptoms and can spot them early. Learn about them here.\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/)\n2. [About meningitis](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/)\n3. Symptoms\n\n- ## Share\n- [Share on (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F)\n- [Share on (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Symptoms&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F)\n- [Share on (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F)\n- [Share on (opens in a new window)](mailto:?subject=Symptoms&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F)\n- [Copy link](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/)\n- [Print page Print page]()\n- Close\n\n## On this page\n[What is meningitis?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#what)\n\n[Know the symptoms](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#know)\n\n[What should I do?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#action)\n\n[Red symptoms: high risk](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#red)\n\n[Amber symptoms: medium risk](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#amber)\n\n[What is the meningitis rash?](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/#rash)\n\n## What is meningitis?\nMeningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges.\n\n### What is sepsis?\nSepticaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.\n\nBoth meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast.\n\n## Know the symptoms\nAsterisks (\\*) show symptoms more specific to meningitis and sepsis and less common in milder illnesses.\n\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GeneralSymptoms_fever.jpg)\n  ## Fever and\/or vomiting\n  Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_headache.png)\n  ## Severe headache\n  Meningitis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_joint.png)\n  ## Limb \/ joint \/ muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain \/ diarrhoea)\n  Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_cold.png)\n  ## Cold hands and feet \/ shivering\n  Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/generalsymptoms-pale.png)\n  ## Pale or mottled skin\n  Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_breathing.png)\n  ## Breathing fast \/ breathless\n  Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_rash.png)\n  ## Rash (anywhere on the body)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓ Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_stiff.png)\n  ## Stiff neck (less common in young children)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_light-1.png)\n  ## Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_sleepy.png)\n  ## Very sleepy \/ vacant \/ difficult to wake\n  Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_confused.png)\n  ## Confused \/ delirious\n  Meningitis\\* ✓ Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_seizure.png)\n  ## Seizures (fits)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n\n## If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital?\nSomeone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional.\n\nThe first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.\n\nIt is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order.\n\n### What to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia\nParents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis).\n\nThat is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do.\n\n## Red symptoms: high risk \\| take immediate action\nIf your child is unwell with any of these symptoms, go to a hospital or call for an ambulance immediately.\n\nTemperature\n\n- Over 38°C in babies under three months.\n- Has a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch \/ very cold hands and feet.\n\nBreathing\n\n- Very fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing.\n- Grunting and \/ or noises with every breath.\n\nBody and activity\n\n- Very lethargic \/ difficult to wake \/ not responding.\n- Fitting \/ convulsion \/ seizures.\n- Weak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child.\n- Confusion or unusually irritable.\n- Soft spot on a baby’s head is bulging.\n- Stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down.\n- Unusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby.\n\nSkin, lips and tongue\n\n- Blue skin, lips or tongue.\n- Very pale or mottled skin.\n- A rash that *does not* fade when pressed with a glass.\n\nEating, drinking and toilet habits\n\n- Not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more.\n- Very thirsty and not able to keep fluids down.\n- Bloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick.\n\nAnd if your baby is under eight weeks old:\n\nYoung infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever:\n\n- Persistent refusal to feed.\n- Lethargic \/ excessively sleepy.\n- Irritable.\n- Stiff or floppy body.\n- Weak \/ high pitched or continuous cry.\n- Grunting.\n- Soft spot on the baby’s head is bulging.\n\nSome of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help.\n\nRemember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor.\n\n## Amber symptoms: medium risk \\| get professional medical advice\nIf you are worried about a child who has any of these amber symptoms call your local medical professional support (in the UK, NHS 111 or your doctor) without delay.\n\nTemperature\n\n- Over 39°C in babies aged three to six months.\n- High temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days.\n- Low temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period).\n\nBreathing\n\n- Fast breathing.\n- Cough that sounds like a seal barking.\n- Noisy or crackly breathing.\n- Nostrils are flaring.\n- In an older child, they can’t say more than a few words.\n\nBody and activity\n\n- Unusually sleepy.\n- Child can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything \/ not wanting to do very much.\n- Not responding normally to family or carers.\n- Child under five not smiling.\n- Shivering or shaking.\n- Severe headache.\n- Dislike of bright lights.\n- Limb \/ joint \/ muscle pain.\n- Not using \/ putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot.\n- Swelling of a limb or joint.\n\nSkin, lips and tongue\n\n- Pale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five.\n- Sunken eyes.\n- Rash that *does* fade when pressed with a clear glass.\n\nEating, drinking and toilet habits\n\n- Not feeding or eating much.\n- Not drinking for more than eight hours (when awake).\n- Dry mouth.\n- Under one year old with vomiting and \/ or diarrhoea.\n- Vomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit.\n- More than five watery poos in a 24 hour period.\n- Only one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours.\n\nYou may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if:\n\n- You feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\n- You are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\n- You are concerned that you are unable to look after your child.\n\n## What is the meningitis rash?\nIf you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, **don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help**. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test.\n\n### The tumbler test\nPress a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass **get urgent medical help immediately.**\n\nCheck the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.\n\nThe darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth.\n\n**Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all.** [More on what is the meningitis rash](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/news-and-blogs\/what-is-the-meningitis-rash\/).\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/glass-test-rash.jpg)](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/glass-test-rash.jpg)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/meningitis-rash-example.jpg)](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/meningitis-rash-example.jpg)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Meningitis-rash.jpg)](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Meningitis-rash.jpg)\n\n## Other symptoms\nWhen deciding whether a child is well enough to go home or needs to be in hospital, a health professional needs to take measurements such as heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen level and alertness.\n\nNational UK guidelines outline what doctors should measure in children with fever or suspected infection and when they should refer children to hospital. You can read these guidelines here:\n\n- [Fever in under fives: assessment and initial management](https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng143 \"Opens in window\/tab\")\n- [Meningitis (bacterial) and meningococcal septicaemia in under 16s: recognition, diagnosis and management](https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/CG102 \"Opens in window\/tab\")\n- [Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management](https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng51 \"Opens in window\/tab\")\n## More support\nIf you have questions or concerns about meningitis or sepsis you can ring our [Support Services](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/get-support\/help-and-support\/support-services\/) on 080 8800 3344 in the UK or 1800 41 33 44 in the Republic of Ireland. But don’t wait to speak to us if you think you or someone you care about is seriously ill – always get professional medical support.\n\n## Footer\n[![Meningitis Research Foundation](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/themes\/honeycom3\/assets\/images\/logo.svg)](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/)\n\n- [Facebook Share on facebook (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/meningitisresearch\/)\n- [Twitter Share on twitter (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/x.com\/M_R_F)\n- [Linkedin Share on linkedin (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/company\/meningitis-research-foundation)\n- [Instagram Share on instagram (opens in a new window)](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/meningitis_research\/)\n\n[Newsletter sign-up](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/newsletter\/)\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/)\n\n### Meningitis Research Foundation\n© 2026 Meningitis Research Foundation. A charity registered in England and Wales (1091105), Scotland (SC037586), & in Ireland (20034368). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4367866.\n\n![Fundraising standards](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fundraising-regulator-logo.png)\n\n- ### Quick links\n- [Check symptoms](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/)\n- [Get support](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/get-support\/help-and-support\/support-services\/)\n- [Donate](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/get-involved\/ways-to-give\/donate\/)\n\n- ### Our policies\n- [Privacy policy](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Safeguarding](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/safeguarding\/)\n- [Complaints](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/complaints\/)\n\n- ### Contact us\n- [Get in touch](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/get-in-touch\/)\n- [Media](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/news-and-blogs\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/careers\/)\n\n- [Terms and conditions](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/terms-and-conditions\/)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/meningitis.org\/cookie-policy\/)\n\n[Charity web design by Fat Beehive](http:\/\/www.fatbeehive.com\/)\n\n[Click4Assistance UK Live Chat Software](https:\/\/www.click4assistance.co.uk\/add-live-chat-software-click4assistance-uk)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## What is meningitis?\nMeningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges.\n\n### What is sepsis?\nSepticaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.\n\nBoth meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast.\n\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GeneralSymptoms_fever.jpg)\n  ## Fever and\/or vomiting\n  Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_headache.png)\n  ## Severe headache\n  Meningitis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_joint.png)\n  ## Limb \/ joint \/ muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain \/ diarrhoea)\n  Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_cold.png)\n  ## Cold hands and feet \/ shivering\n  Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/generalsymptoms-pale.png)\n  ## Pale or mottled skin\n  Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_breathing.png)\n  ## Breathing fast \/ breathless\n  Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_rash.png)\n  ## Rash (anywhere on the body)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓ Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_stiff.png)\n  ## Stiff neck (less common in young children)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_light-1.png)\n  ## Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_sleepy.png)\n  ## Very sleepy \/ vacant \/ difficult to wake\n  Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_confused.png)\n  ## Confused \/ delirious\n  Meningitis\\* ✓ Sepsis\\* ✓\n- ![](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GeneralSymptoms_seizure.png)\n  ## Seizures (fits)\n  Meningitis\\* ✓\n\n## If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital?\nSomeone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional.\n\nThe first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.\n\nIt is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order.\n\n### What to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia\nParents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis).\n\nThat is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do.\n\n- Over 38°C in babies under three months.\n- Has a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch \/ very cold hands and feet.\n\n- Very fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing.\n- Grunting and \/ or noises with every breath.\n\n- Very lethargic \/ difficult to wake \/ not responding.\n- Fitting \/ convulsion \/ seizures.\n- Weak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child.\n- Confusion or unusually irritable.\n- Soft spot on a baby’s head is bulging.\n- Stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down.\n- Unusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby.\n\n- Blue skin, lips or tongue.\n- Very pale or mottled skin.\n- A rash that *does not* fade when pressed with a glass.\n\n- Not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more.\n- Very thirsty and not able to keep fluids down.\n- Bloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick.\n\nYoung infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever:\n\n- Persistent refusal to feed.\n- Lethargic \/ excessively sleepy.\n- Irritable.\n- Stiff or floppy body.\n- Weak \/ high pitched or continuous cry.\n- Grunting.\n- Soft spot on the baby’s head is bulging.\n\nSome of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help.\n\nRemember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor.\n\n- Over 39°C in babies aged three to six months.\n- High temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days.\n- Low temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period).\n\n- Fast breathing.\n- Cough that sounds like a seal barking.\n- Noisy or crackly breathing.\n- Nostrils are flaring.\n- In an older child, they can’t say more than a few words.\n\n- Unusually sleepy.\n- Child can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything \/ not wanting to do very much.\n- Not responding normally to family or carers.\n- Child under five not smiling.\n- Shivering or shaking.\n- Severe headache.\n- Dislike of bright lights.\n- Limb \/ joint \/ muscle pain.\n- Not using \/ putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot.\n- Swelling of a limb or joint.\n\n- Pale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five.\n- Sunken eyes.\n- Rash that *does* fade when pressed with a clear glass.\n\n- Not feeding or eating much.\n- Not drinking for more than eight hours (when awake).\n- Dry mouth.\n- Under one year old with vomiting and \/ or diarrhoea.\n- Vomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit.\n- More than five watery poos in a 24 hour period.\n- Only one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours.\n\nYou may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if:\n\n- You feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\n- You are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional.\n- You are concerned that you are unable to look after your child.\n\n## What is the meningitis rash?\nIf you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, **don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help**. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test.\n\n### The tumbler test\nPress a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass **get urgent medical help immediately.**\n\nCheck the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.\n\nThe darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth.\n\n**Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all.** [More on what is the meningitis rash](https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/news-and-blogs\/what-is-the-meningitis-rash\/).","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/
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Meta Title	Meningitis and sepsis symptoms - Meningitis Research Foundation
Meta Description	Meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours, so it’s very important you know the symptoms and can spot them early. Learn about them here.
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Boilerpipe Text	What is meningitis? Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges. What is sepsis? Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Both meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast. Fever and/or vomiting Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ Severe headache Meningitis ✓ Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain / diarrhoea) Sepsis* ✓ Cold hands and feet / shivering Sepsis* ✓ Pale or mottled skin Sepsis ✓ Breathing fast / breathless Sepsis ✓ Rash (anywhere on the body) Meningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓ Stiff neck (less common in young children) Meningitis* ✓ Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children) Meningitis* ✓ Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ Confused / delirious Meningitis* ✓ Sepsis* ✓ Seizures (fits) Meningitis* ✓ If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital? Someone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. It is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order. What to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia Parents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis). That is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do. Over 38°C in babies under three months. Has a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch / very cold hands and feet. Very fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing. Grunting and / or noises with every breath. Very lethargic / difficult to wake / not responding. Fitting / convulsion / seizures. Weak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child. Confusion or unusually irritable. Soft spot on a baby’s head is bulging. Stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down. Unusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby. Blue skin, lips or tongue. Very pale or mottled skin. A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass. Not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more. Very thirsty and not able to keep fluids down. Bloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick. Young infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever: Persistent refusal to feed. Lethargic / excessively sleepy. Irritable. Stiff or floppy body. Weak / high pitched or continuous cry. Grunting. Soft spot on the baby’s head is bulging. Some of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help. Remember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor. Over 39°C in babies aged three to six months. High temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days. Low temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period). Fast breathing. Cough that sounds like a seal barking. Noisy or crackly breathing. Nostrils are flaring. In an older child, they can’t say more than a few words. Unusually sleepy. Child can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything / not wanting to do very much. Not responding normally to family or carers. Child under five not smiling. Shivering or shaking. Severe headache. Dislike of bright lights. Limb / joint / muscle pain. Not using / putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot. Swelling of a limb or joint. Pale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five. Sunken eyes. Rash that does fade when pressed with a clear glass. Not feeding or eating much. Not drinking for more than eight hours (when awake). Dry mouth. Under one year old with vomiting and / or diarrhoea. Vomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit. More than five watery poos in a 24 hour period. Only one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours. You may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if: You feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional. You are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional. You are concerned that you are unable to look after your child. What is the meningitis rash? If you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help . But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test. The tumbler test Press a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass get urgent medical help immediately. Check the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters. The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth. Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all. More on what is the meningitis rash .
Markdown	[Skip to content](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#main) [![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/themes/honeycom3/assets/images/logo.png) Meningitis Research Foundation](https://www.meningitis.org/) - [About meningitis](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/) - - [What are the symptoms of meningitis?](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/) - [Symptoms in babies](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/babies/) - [Symptoms in toddlers](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/toddlers/) - [Symptoms in young adults](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/young-adults/) - [Using data to defeat meningitis](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/using-data-to-defeat-meningitis/) - [Meningitis Progress Tracker](https://tracker.meningitis.org/) - [Bacterial meningitis](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/bacterial-meningitis/) - [Viral meningitis](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/viral-meningitis/) - 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Learn about them here. 1. [Home](https://www.meningitis.org/) 2. [About meningitis](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/) 3. Symptoms - ## Share - [Share on (opens in a new window)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F) - [Share on (opens in a new window)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Symptoms&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F) - [Share on (opens in a new window)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F) - [Share on (opens in a new window)](mailto:?subject=Symptoms&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meningitis.org%2Fabout-meningitis%2Fsymptoms%2F) - [Copy link](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/) - [Print page Print page]() - Close ## On this page [What is meningitis?](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#what) [Know the symptoms](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#know) [What should I do?](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#action) [Red symptoms: high risk](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#red) [Amber symptoms: medium risk](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#amber) [What is the meningitis rash?](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/#rash) ## What is meningitis? Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges. ### What is sepsis? Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Both meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast. ## Know the symptoms Asterisks (\) show symptoms more specific to meningitis and sepsis and less common in milder illnesses. - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GeneralSymptoms_fever.jpg) ## Fever and/or vomiting Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_headache.png) ## Severe headache Meningitis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_joint.png) ## Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain / diarrhoea) Sepsis\ ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_cold.png) ## Cold hands and feet / shivering Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/generalsymptoms-pale.png) ## Pale or mottled skin Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_breathing.png) ## Breathing fast / breathless Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_rash.png) ## Rash (anywhere on the body) Meningitis\* ✓ Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_stiff.png) ## Stiff neck (less common in young children) Meningitis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_light-1.png) ## Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children) Meningitis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_sleepy.png) ## Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_confused.png) ## Confused / delirious Meningitis\* ✓ Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_seizure.png) ## Seizures (fits) Meningitis\* ✓ ## If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital? Someone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. It is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order. ### What to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia Parents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis). That is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do. ## Red symptoms: high risk \\| take immediate action If your child is unwell with any of these symptoms, go to a hospital or call for an ambulance immediately. Temperature - Over 38°C in babies under three months. - Has a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch / very cold hands and feet. Breathing - Very fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing. - Grunting and / or noises with every breath. Body and activity - Very lethargic / difficult to wake / not responding. - Fitting / convulsion / seizures. - Weak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child. - Confusion or unusually irritable. - Soft spot on a baby’s head is bulging. - Stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down. - Unusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby. Skin, lips and tongue - Blue skin, lips or tongue. - Very pale or mottled skin. - A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass. Eating, drinking and toilet habits - Not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more. - Very thirsty and not able to keep fluids down. - Bloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick. And if your baby is under eight weeks old: Young infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever: - Persistent refusal to feed. - Lethargic / excessively sleepy. - Irritable. - Stiff or floppy body. - Weak / high pitched or continuous cry. - Grunting. - Soft spot on the baby’s head is bulging. Some of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help. Remember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor. ## Amber symptoms: medium risk \\| get professional medical advice If you are worried about a child who has any of these amber symptoms call your local medical professional support (in the UK, NHS 111 or your doctor) without delay. Temperature - Over 39°C in babies aged three to six months. - High temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days. - Low temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period). Breathing - Fast breathing. - Cough that sounds like a seal barking. - Noisy or crackly breathing. - Nostrils are flaring. - In an older child, they can’t say more than a few words. Body and activity - Unusually sleepy. - Child can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything / not wanting to do very much. - Not responding normally to family or carers. - Child under five not smiling. - Shivering or shaking. - Severe headache. - Dislike of bright lights. - Limb / joint / muscle pain. - Not using / putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot. - Swelling of a limb or joint. Skin, lips and tongue - Pale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five. - Sunken eyes. - Rash that does fade when pressed with a clear glass. Eating, drinking and toilet habits - Not feeding or eating much. - Not drinking for more than eight hours (when awake). - Dry mouth. - Under one year old with vomiting and / or diarrhoea. - Vomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit. - More than five watery poos in a 24 hour period. - Only one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours. You may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if: - You feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional. - You are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional. - You are concerned that you are unable to look after your child. ## What is the meningitis rash? If you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test. ### The tumbler test Press a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass get urgent medical help immediately. Check the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters. The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth. Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all. [More on what is the meningitis rash](https://www.meningitis.org/news-and-blogs/what-is-the-meningitis-rash/). [![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/glass-test-rash.jpg)](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/glass-test-rash.jpg) [![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/meningitis-rash-example.jpg)](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/meningitis-rash-example.jpg) [![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Meningitis-rash.jpg)](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Meningitis-rash.jpg) ## Other symptoms When deciding whether a child is well enough to go home or needs to be in hospital, a health professional needs to take measurements such as heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen level and alertness. National UK guidelines outline what doctors should measure in children with fever or suspected infection and when they should refer children to hospital. You can read these guidelines here: - [Fever in under fives: assessment and initial management](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng143 "Opens in window/tab") - [Meningitis (bacterial) and meningococcal septicaemia in under 16s: recognition, diagnosis and management](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG102 "Opens in window/tab") - [Sepsis: recognition, diagnosis and early management](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng51 "Opens in window/tab") ## More support If you have questions or concerns about meningitis or sepsis you can ring our [Support Services](https://www.meningitis.org/get-support/help-and-support/support-services/) on 080 8800 3344 in the UK or 1800 41 33 44 in the Republic of Ireland. But don’t wait to speak to us if you think you or someone you care about is seriously ill – always get professional medical support. ## Footer [![Meningitis Research Foundation](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/themes/honeycom3/assets/images/logo.svg)](https://www.meningitis.org/) - [Facebook Share on facebook (opens in a new window)](https://www.facebook.com/meningitisresearch/) - [Twitter Share on twitter (opens in a new window)](https://x.com/M_R_F) - [Linkedin Share on linkedin (opens in a new window)](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/meningitis-research-foundation) - [Instagram Share on instagram (opens in a new window)](https://www.instagram.com/meningitis_research/) [Newsletter sign-up](https://meningitis.org/newsletter/) [Back to top](https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/) ### Meningitis Research Foundation © 2026 Meningitis Research Foundation. A charity registered in England and Wales (1091105), Scotland (SC037586), & in Ireland (20034368). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 4367866. ![Fundraising standards](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fundraising-regulator-logo.png) - ### Quick links - [Check symptoms](https://meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/) - [Get support](https://meningitis.org/get-support/help-and-support/support-services/) - [Donate](https://meningitis.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate/) - ### Our policies - [Privacy policy](https://meningitis.org/privacy-policy/) - [Safeguarding](https://meningitis.org/safeguarding/) - [Complaints](https://meningitis.org/complaints/) - ### Contact us - [Get in touch](https://meningitis.org/get-in-touch/) - [Media](https://meningitis.org/news-and-blogs/) - [Careers](https://meningitis.org/about-us/who-we-are/careers/) - [Terms and conditions](https://meningitis.org/terms-and-conditions/) - [Cookies](https://meningitis.org/cookie-policy/) [Charity web design by Fat Beehive](http://www.fatbeehive.com/) [Click4Assistance UK Live Chat Software](https://www.click4assistance.co.uk/add-live-chat-software-click4assistance-uk)
Readable Markdown	## What is meningitis? Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges. ### What is sepsis? Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs as meningitis and is life-threatening. It can occur with or without meningitis and is sometimes referred to as sepsis. Medically, septicaemia is when bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning which triggers sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Both meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours. It’s critical to know the symptoms so you can act fast. - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GeneralSymptoms_fever.jpg) ## Fever and/or vomiting Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_headache.png) ## Severe headache Meningitis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_joint.png) ## Limb / joint / muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain / diarrhoea) Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_cold.png) ## Cold hands and feet / shivering Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/generalsymptoms-pale.png) ## Pale or mottled skin Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_breathing.png) ## Breathing fast / breathless Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_rash.png) ## Rash (anywhere on the body) Meningitis\* ✓ Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_stiff.png) ## Stiff neck (less common in young children) Meningitis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_light-1.png) ## Dislike of bright lights (less common in young children) Meningitis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_sleepy.png) ## Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake Meningitis ✓ Sepsis ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_confused.png) ## Confused / delirious Meningitis\* ✓ Sepsis\* ✓ - ![](https://www.meningitis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GeneralSymptoms_seizure.png) ## Seizures (fits) Meningitis\* ✓ ## If I think someone has meningitis symptoms, when do I go to hospital? Someone who has meningitis or sepsis can become seriously ill very quickly, so always trust your instincts and get medical help fast by speaking to a health professional. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. It is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis and sepsis symptoms: they can appear in any order. ### What to do if you think your baby or child is unwell with meningitis or septicaemia Parents or carers are often unsure when to call for medical help when they suspect meningitis or septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, often called sepsis). That is why we have worked with health professionals to create this red and amber symptoms checker, to tell you what actions to take. Often called our safety-netting resources, these will guide you on what are high or medium risk symptoms, and what to do. - Over 38°C in babies under three months. - Has a temperature and feels abnormally cold to touch / very cold hands and feet. - Very fast breathing, finding it much harder to breathe than normal, or noticeable pauses in breathing. - Grunting and / or noises with every breath. - Very lethargic / difficult to wake / not responding. - Fitting / convulsion / seizures. - Weak, high pitched or continuous crying in a younger child. - Confusion or unusually irritable. - Soft spot on a baby’s head is bulging. - Stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down. - Unusually sleepy, stiff or floppy baby. - Blue skin, lips or tongue. - Very pale or mottled skin. - A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass. - Not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours or more. - Very thirsty and not able to keep fluids down. - Bloody or black ‘coffee ground’ sick. Young infants are particularly vulnerable to serious infection. Seek urgent medical help if your baby has a combination of any of the following symptoms, with or without a fever: - Persistent refusal to feed. - Lethargic / excessively sleepy. - Irritable. - Stiff or floppy body. - Weak / high pitched or continuous cry. - Grunting. - Soft spot on the baby’s head is bulging. Some of these red, high-risk symptoms are not typical signs of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis) but are still signs of severe illness, so, if your child is unwell and has any of the red symptoms, get urgent medical help. Remember, always trust your instincts: parents, guardians or carers often know when their child is seriously ill. If your child is ill and getting worse, don’t be afraid to seek medical help immediately, even if you have already seen a doctor. - Over 39°C in babies aged three to six months. - High temperature in a child who shows no interest in anything, or high temperature for more than five days. - Low temperature (below 36°C, checking three times in a ten minute period). - Fast breathing. - Cough that sounds like a seal barking. - Noisy or crackly breathing. - Nostrils are flaring. - In an older child, they can’t say more than a few words. - Unusually sleepy. - Child can’t be encouraged to show interest in anything / not wanting to do very much. - Not responding normally to family or carers. - Child under five not smiling. - Shivering or shaking. - Severe headache. - Dislike of bright lights. - Limb / joint / muscle pain. - Not using / putting weight on an arm, leg, hand or foot. - Swelling of a limb or joint. - Pale skin, lips or tongue in a child under five. - Sunken eyes. - Rash that does fade when pressed with a clear glass. - Not feeding or eating much. - Not drinking for more than eight hours (when awake). - Dry mouth. - Under one year old with vomiting and / or diarrhoea. - Vomiting more than twice in the last 24 hours or has bile-stained vomit. - More than five watery poos in a 24 hour period. - Only one wet nappy or wee in the last 12 hours. You may have already seen a health professional about your child, but it is important to get more medical advice if: - You feel that your child is worse than when you previously spoke to a health professional. - You are more worried about your child than when you previously spoke to a health professional. - You are concerned that you are unable to look after your child. ## What is the meningitis rash? If you are seriously worried about someone who is ill, don’t wait for a rash to appear – get medical help. But if they are already ill and have a rash, or one appears, use the tumbler test. ### The tumbler test Press a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass get urgent medical help immediately. Check the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters. The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash, so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth. Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all. [More on what is the meningitis rash](https://www.meningitis.org/news-and-blogs/what-is-the-meningitis-rash/).
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