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Meningitis and septicaemia symptoms in babies

Early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of meningitis, sometimes referred to as sepsis) can be like other childhood illnesses, but a baby will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast. That’s why it’s so important to check a baby often.

If you think your baby has meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately telling the health professional you are speaking to that you are worried it could be meningitis or septicaemia.

The symptoms to watch out for are:

Meningitis symptoms - Tense or bulging soft spot
Tense or bulging soft spot
Meningitis symptoms - High temperature (warning - could be normal or low in babies under three months)
High temperature (warning - could be normal or low in babies under three months)
Meningitis symptoms - Very sleepy / staring expression / too sleepy to wake up
Very sleepy / staring expression / too sleepy to wake up
Meningitis symptoms - Breathing fast / difficulty breathing
Breathing fast / difficulty breathing
Meningitis symptoms - Extreme shivering
Extreme shivering
Meningitis symptoms - rash / marks or purple bruises anywhere on the body
'Pin prick' rash / marks or purple bruises anywhere on the body
Meningitis symptoms - Diarrhoea (though only sometimes)
Diarrhoea (though only sometimes)
Meningitis symptoms - Unusual grunting sounds
Unusual grunting sounds
Meningitis symptoms - Vomiting / refusing to feed
Vomiting / refusing to feed 
Meningitis symptoms - Irritable when picking up, with a high pitched or moaning cry
Irritable when picking up, with a high pitched or moaning cry
Meningitis symptoms - Blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue
Blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue
Meningitis symptoms - A stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless
A stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless 
Meningitis symptoms - Pain / irritability from muscle aches or severe limb / joint pain
Pain / irritability from muscle aches or severe limb / joint pain
Meningitis symptoms - Cold hands and feet
Cold hands and feet

Download our meningitis symptoms in babies infographic now.

Always remember not all babies get every meningitis or septicaemia symptom, and the symptoms can appear in any order.

What is the meningitis rash?

If you are seriously worried about a baby 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.

Meningitis tumbler/glass test showing rash

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.

Meningitis rash on legs of child

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.

Meningitis rash on dark skin of child
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 baby needs medical help, even if there are only a few spots, a rash or no rash at all.

But don’t wait to speak to us if you think you or someone you care about is seriously ill – always call your medical services.

Further resources

meningitis symptoms Download our meningitis symptoms in babies infographic: A4 version | A5 version

Read what vaccines are available to prevent meningitis

Meningitis and septicaemia symptoms checker including what to if your child is unwell and you suspect meningitis or septicaemia (our safety-netting resources).

Meningitis symptoms in toddlers

Meningitis symptoms in teenagers and young adults


 

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Membership and support

The MRF Membership and Support team are here for you for any questions you might have about meningitis and septicaemia and their effects on you, or your family and friends.

Tel: Helpline UK 080 8800 3344 Ireland 1800 41 33 44
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