To ask if this is meningitis??

[Bananapancakes3]

I’m dating this guy who is currently on holiday in Spain. He’s been ill with a bit of a temperature and developed what he assumed was heat rash but he told me today it wasn’t itchy and I said it didn’t sound like heat rash if it wasn’t. He said he was concerned about meningitis so I told him to do the glass test on his rash.

His rash still showed when he pushed the glass on it but he’s been feeling better today so doesn’t think it’s meningitis anymore.

Everything I can see online suggests that the rash not disappearing is a big red flag but I don’t know if I’m being over dramatic by suggesting he goes to A&E - it would likely cost him and he's due to fly home tomorrow

There are other rashes which don’t disappear under glass but obviously it’s impossible to say what might be wrong. I’d let him decide though, he’s s grown man

I think it's highly unlikely as he's feeling better!

Ds used to frequently get a viral rash that didn't fade.

We got frequently sent to A&E with it for blood tests.

Basically the rash tends to be later on in the illness; by the time you get the rash you will be very ill.

If he's feeling better then I'd say it's unlikely.
However if he has any doubts then it's not worth the risk not to get it checked.

But rash and temperature wouldn't be what he first noticed. It's the stiff neck and headache. Quick test is get him to see if he can kiss his knee. If he's got it then he will struggle to bend his neck enough to kiss his knee.
When my friend had meningitis, what I noticed about her was she was turning her whole body to look at things because she couldn't move her neck.

If he’s feeling better then it’s highly unlikely to be meningitis.

Though of course, no-one can diagnose him over the Internet.

He definitely would not be feeling OK if he had meningitis and it had reached rash stage.

The red flag is severely ill and a rash...
severely ill means unable to do or think about anything else.

Why would it cost him to go to hospital in Spain? Has he not got a EHIC and travel insurance? And if he hasn't why the fuck not?

I would really try and get him to go back to a hospital/a and e or similar-and to get it checked out.

My first thought, apart from Meningitis, was septicemia/ blood poisoning, which can be really dangerous, potentially, too. Sorry I don't want to be too worrying (and it's not something I know a lot about),except I know it's something you have to be aware of in relation to a non blanching rash, as well as meningitis.

I also remember reading about some one who had meningitis, and how they were initially missing a usual symptom- in fact I think I've read more than once about Meningitis sometimes differing to being how you would think it would be.

The thing with meningitis, I think , is that it can quite suddenly get worse , and even getting treated an hour earlier or latter, can make a huge difference sometimes, so I would tell him to go to an a and e. My grown-up daughter had a bad allergy rash a few years ago, we went to hospital- her rash was mostly blanching, but after we'd been assessed at a and e, even though they were busy ( it was the weekend)- they saw her straight away because of the rash- we were aware that was why it was done. Even though it was busy, as soon as my daughter was assessed , she got rushed through to see a doctor. (she was ok, luckily). I remember though, even though her rash was mostly blanching- because they were a just a bit unsure in assessment-they moved her to the top of the queue-because you have to be really quick with stuff like that.

I would definitely tell someone to go to a hospital with a rash that won't fade, always . I hope he is ok, and hopefully he is, but it's better to check , I think a hospital would take that view too, as well.

Lots of rashes don’t disappear under a glass. If he’s feeling a bit better there is definitely no meningitis!

Yes like the other person said is he severely ill?. Is the rash under the skin or is it raised...does it look like bleeding under the skin. Can he put his chin to his chest, can her bear the light?

This is copied from the nhs sepsis page-
Health A-Z
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Symptoms

• Sepsis

Contents
Symptoms
Who can get it
Treatment and recovery
Important
Sepsis is life threatening. It can be hard to spot.

If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E. Trust your instincts.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
They may not have all these symptoms.

Find an A&E
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if an adult or older child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
They may not have all these symptoms.

Find an A&E
Spotting sepsis

Sepsis can be hard to spot. There are lots of possible symptoms.

Symptoms can be vague. They can be like symptoms of other conditions, including flu or a chest infection.

Urgent advice: Call 111 if:
You, your child or someone you look after:

feels very unwell or like there's something seriously wrong
has not had a pee all day (for adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (for babies and young children)
keeps vomiting and cannot keep any food or milk down (for babies and young children)
has swelling, redness or pain around a cut or wound
has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
Do not worry if you're not sure if it's sepsis – it's still best to call 111.

They can tell you what to do, arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor, or call you an ambulance.

Call 111
Sepsis can be especially hard to spot in:

babies and young children
people with dementia
people with a learning disability
people who have difficulty communicating
Information:
Further information on spotting the signs of sepsis:

easy read guide for people with a learning disability
video for people with a learning disability
video for families and carers of people with a learning disability
What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.

It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.

You cannot catch sepsis from another person.

Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.

This is from the nhs page about meningitis-
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Overview

• Meningitis

Contents
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Vaccination
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.

It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

A number of vaccinations are available that offer some protection against meningitis.

Symptoms of meningitis

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
being sick
a headache
a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but this will not always develop)
a stiff neck
a dislike of bright lights
drowsiness or unresponsiveness
fits (seizures)
These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.

When to get medical help

You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.

Trust your instincts and do not wait until a rash develops.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.

Call NHS 111 or your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.

How meningitis is spread

Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

sneezing
coughing
kissing
sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.

Vaccinations against meningitis

Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis.

These include the:

meningitis B vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks and a booster at 1 year
6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
pneumococcal vaccine – offered to babies at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year old
Hib/MenC vaccine – offered to babies at 1 year of age
MMR vaccine – offered to babies at 1 year and a second dose at 3 years and 4 months
meningitis ACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers and "fresher" students going to university for the first time
Treatments for meningitis

People with suspected meningitis will usually have tests in hospital to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the condition is the result of a viral or bacterial infection.

Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week.

Treatments include:

antibiotics given directly into a vein
fluids given directly into a vein
oxygen through a face mask
Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within 7 to 10 days and can often be treated at home.

Getting plenty of rest and taking painkillers and anti-sickness medication can help relieve the symptoms in the meantime.

Outlook for meningitis

Viral meningitis will usually get better on its own and rarely causes any long-term problems.

Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery, although some are left with serious long-term problems.

These can include:

hearing loss or vision loss, which may be partial or total
problems with memory and concentration
recurrent seizures (epilepsy)
co-ordination, movement and balance problems
loss of limbs – amputation of affected limbs is sometimes necessary
Overall, it's estimated up to 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.

Find out more about the complications of meningitis

This is from the nhs symptoms page- Symptoms

• Meningitis

Contents
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Vaccination
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 on pressure.

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

Trust your instincts and do not wait until a rash develops.

Symptoms of meningitis, septicaemia and meningococcal disease include:

a high temperature
cold hands and feet
vomiting
confusion
breathing quickly
muscle and joint pain
pale, mottled or blotchy skin
spots or a rash
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, septicaemia or meningococcal disease can get a lot worse very quickly.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.

Call NHS 111 or your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious.

Meningitis rash

Picture of meningitis rash on legs and feet of a white-skinned child
The rash usually starts as small, red pinpricks before spreading quickly and turning into red or purple blotches
Picture of meningitis rash on white skin with glass held against it
It does not fade if you press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin
Picture of meningitis rash on the leg and foot of dark-skinned child
The rash can be harder to see on dark 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 inside of the eyelids.
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.