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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone has fever with severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, rash that does not fade when pressed, or extreme sensitivity to light.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — High fever with severe headache and neck so stiff they cannot touch chin to chest.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rash of small red or purple spots that do NOT fade when you press a clear glass firmly against them.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Confusion, drowsiness, difficulty waking, or seizures.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sensitivity to light, vomiting, cold hands and feet with fever.
Scene hazards: Rapid deterioration, Seizures, Loss of consciousness
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say you suspect meningitis.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If rash present — press a clear glass against it. If spots do not fade, tell 112 immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person comfortable, lying down, in a dim room if light hurts their eyes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not leave them alone — watch for worsening confusion or breathing changes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they have a seizure — protect head, do not put anything in mouth, time the seizure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Gather list of medications and note when symptoms started.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Suspected meningitis. Fever, stiff neck, [rash present/not present]. Need ambulance."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Meningitis is always a hospital emergency. Minutes matter.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT wait for a doctor's appointment — this is an immediate emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give aspirin or ibuprofen without medical advice — may mask symptoms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT force them to sit up if neck is stiff and painful.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Meningitis always has a visible rash
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The rash appears late or not at all in some cases. Stiff neck, fever, and confusion alone are enough to call 112.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People wait for a rash that never comes while the infection progresses.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Meningitis is an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It can kill within hours if not treated with hospital antibiotics.