New students heading to university in September are being warned about meningitis, a rare but devastating illness that can spread quickly in close-contact environments like student accommodation. The warning follows an outbreak in Canterbury, Kent, earlier this year, which resulted in 21 confirmed cases and two deaths.
Who is most at risk?
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive officer at Meningitis Now, said the most at-risk groups are infants and toddlers, followed by teenagers and young adults, particularly those going to university. "Around one in 10 of the general population will carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis at the back of their nose and throats, but within the student population this can increase to around one in four," said Dr Nutt.
He added that this figure can be even higher within the first few weeks and months of term, as students from different parts of the country mix on campus, sharing food, drinks, and cigarettes. "This close contact makes it more likely that they will transmit the bacteria from person to person," he said.
Recognising the symptoms
According to the NHS, symptoms of meningitis include a high temperature, very cold hands and feet, a stiff neck, joint and muscle pain, a severe and worsening headache, eye pain when looking at bright lights, seizures, vomiting and diarrhoea, confusion, being very sleepy, and spots or a rash, among others.
Dr Nutt warned: "Early signs of meningitis are unfortunately really easy to confuse with colds, flu, or hangovers, and that’s because it can present with symptoms like a headache, a high temperature, cold hands and feet, confusion, disorientation, and vomiting." As the disease progresses, more well-known signs appear, including an aversion to bright lights, a stiff neck, and in some cases a rash that doesn't disappear when pressure is applied.
He highlighted that not all symptoms will appear, and they won't necessarily appear in a particular order. The key sign is someone who is "unwell and is deteriorating rapidly", in which case you should call 111, go to A&E, or call 999.
Prevention through vaccination
Students are being urged to get the meningitis vaccine before they go to university. Dr Nutt said: "The good news is that many forms of meningitis are preventable with vaccines. There are a number of vaccines on the NHS, and they are safe and effective at preventing meningitis."
According to the NHS website, the MenB vaccine is now offered until March 2027 to young people born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008, or on or after July 21, 2001 and starting university or some further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026 and living in further education accommodation. The vaccine involves two doses given at least four weeks apart.
"It’s really important that people take both jabs to get full protection," said Nutt. "Ideally, you should have your second jab a few weeks before you go to university in order for it to take effect for freshers." For those outside the eligibility criteria, the vaccine is available privately, though it is not cheap and varies in price. For more information, visit the Meningitis Now website.
