Red flags: sepsis, meningitis and when to get urgent help

Almost every illness you have as a student will be minor. But two serious conditions, sepsis and meningitis, can start like flu, and living alone means nobody else may notice. Knowing a handful of warning signs, and acting fast, can save a life, including a friend's.

Why students need to know this

• The NHS says early meningitis symptoms can resemble flu, a stomach bug or a hangover, which is why they are easily missed.
• Students living in halls mix closely with many people, and the NHS offers meningitis vaccines to teenagers, with some young people starting university currently eligible for an extra MenB vaccine; check your record (see the Health Admin module).
• The NHS meningitis page says to get immediate medical help if you think something is seriously wrong, even if not every symptom is present.
• If a friend is unwell and getting worse quickly, do not leave them alone to 'sleep it off'.

Sepsis: the NHS emergency signs

• Call 999 (998 in the UAE) or go to A&E if an adult is breathing very fast.
• Or is confused, has slurred speech or is not making sense.
• Or has blue, pale or blotchy skin; on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms or soles.
• Or has a very high or very low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivery.
• Or has a rash that does not fade when you press it, or symptoms you are worried might be sepsis.

Meningitis: signs to know

• Symptoms come on suddenly and can include a high temperature, very cold hands and feet, a stiff neck, a severe headache that is getting worse, eye pain when looking at bright lights, vomiting, confusion and being very sleepy or difficult to wake (NHS).
• A rash that does not fade when the side of a clear glass is pressed firmly against it is a warning sign, but not everyone gets a rash.
• On brown or black skin, check paler areas such as the palms, soles, roof of the mouth, whites of the eyes and inside the eyelids.
• Call emergency services for a very high or very low temperature, a very painful headache, confusion or slurred speech, a stiff neck and being unable to look at bright lights, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or a first seizure.

Other emergency signs from this module

• Severe difficulty breathing, sudden chest pain or coughing up blood (NHS flu guidance).
• Difficulty breathing, being unable to swallow, drooling or a high-pitched sound when breathing (NHS sore throat guidance).
• Vomiting blood, green vomit, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, or dehydration with cold skin, confusion or being very sleepy (NHS diarrhoea and dehydration guidance).
• A sudden, extremely painful headache, or numbness or weakness in the body or face (NHS headache guidance).
• Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue (NHS hives guidance).

What to do, step by step

• Call the emergency number for the country you are in: 998 for an ambulance in the UAE, 999 in the UK; know your number abroad before you need it.
• Say clearly: 'My friend is very unwell, confused and has a rash that doesn't fade under a glass. I'm worried it's meningitis or sepsis.' Using those words helps.
• Give the exact address, building, flat or room number, and send someone to meet the ambulance if you can.
• Do not drive the ill person, or yourself, to hospital; the NHS says to call for an ambulance or ask someone else to drive.
• Tell university security or the residence team, who know the building and can guide paramedics in.