{"id":1834200,"date":"2026-03-19T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1834200"},"modified":"2026-03-19T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:00:00","slug":"how-to-not-freak-out-about-meningitis-according-to-an-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1834200","title":{"rendered":"How to not freak out about meningitis, according to an expert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1024\/0-0-1024-682\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1440\/1\/1441757.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"main-article standard \">\n<div class=\"article-main-content article-wrapper has-media-but-its-an-image\" data-status=\"loaded\" data-primary-article=\"true\" data-url=\"\/life-culture\/article\/69923\/1\/meningitis-outbreak-uk-symptoms-vaccination\" data-article-id=\"69923\">\n<header class=\"article-header has-landscape-image no-media\">\n<div class=\"wrapper dg-max-width\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<figure class=\"main-img has-figcaption\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.5\" data-template=\"Standard Article\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo by Carl Court\/Getty Images\" class=\"img\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1024\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1440\/1\/1441757.jpg\" width=\"1024\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"inner\"><span class=\"credit\">Photo by Carl <span class=\"nowrap\">Court\/Getty Images<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"meta\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-19T09:00:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"19 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"19\">19,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"titles\">\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<div class=\"sections\"><a class=\"category vertical - life-culture\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\">Life &amp; Culture<\/a><br \/>\n\/<br \/>\n<a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/explainer\">Explainer<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"standard-tag-container\"><a class=\"standard-category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\">Life &amp; Culture<\/a> \/<br \/>\n<a class=\"standard-series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/explainer\">Explainer<\/a><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"title\"><span>How to not freak out about meningitis, according to <span class=\"nowrap\">an expert<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"standfirst\">\n<h2>Following the outbreak of the meningococcal disease at the University of Kent, we spoke to The Meningitis Research Foundation about how best to protect yourself and those <span class=\"nowrap\">around you<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-03-19T09:00:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"19 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"19\">19,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-03-19T09:00:00+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"19 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"19\">19,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"providers\">\n<div class=\"contributors\"><span class=\"contributor\" data-contributor-role=\"Text\"><span class=\"contributor-role\">Text<\/span><a class=\"contributor-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/user\/HalimaJibril\">Halima Jibril<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-body-container\">\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>The University of Kent has moved its exams and classes online following the ongoing outbreak of meningitis in the county. If you\u2019re like me, you\u2019re probably thinking that you and those around you will be fine, because most of us were vaccinated against infection as children. However, government scientists have just identified the type of meningitis behind the two deaths of one university student and one A-level student:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/meridian\/2026-03-17\/meningitis-b-confirmed-as-strain-behind-outbreak-that-has-left-two-dead\"><span>meningitis B<\/span><\/a><span>, a strain that most people have not been vaccinated against.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The news out of Kent is deeply upsetting, with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/meridian\/2026-03-17\/meningitis-b-confirmed-as-strain-behind-outbreak-that-has-left-two-dead\"><span>several<\/span><\/a><span> people being treated in hospital and others being put in an induced coma because of the severity of the infection. Students at the University of Kent have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387?postid=11297012#liveblog-body\"><span>remarked<\/span><\/a><span> how the spread of the disease and their university actions remind them of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/coronavirus\">Covid-19 pandemic<\/a>. However, Prof Anjan Ghosh, director of public health at Kent County Council, has assured the public that this outbreak is not like the past pandemic, telling<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387?postid=11297287#liveblog-body\"><span>Sky News<\/span><\/a><span>: \u201cIt does not spread that easily. It takes quite a lot of prolonged contact for the bacteria to spread from one person to another, because it\u2019s bacterial and not viral.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>It is understandable to be worried about the outbreak of meningitis B after how disastrously the Tory Party handled Covid-19. Still, knowledge is power \u2013 so we called up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/\">The Meningitis Research Foundation<\/a> to help keep us informed on what to look out for, how to protect ourselves and our communities, and how not to freak out about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>KNOW THE SYMPTOMS<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>\u201cMeningitis can affect anyone,\u201d The Meningitis Research Foundation tell Dazed. \u201cBut teenagers and young adults are at higher risk. Early symptoms can look like freshers\u2019 flu, COVID, or even a hangover. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to know what to look out for and how to act fast.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The symptoms of meningitis include: fever and\/or vomiting, severe headache, limb joint, muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain\/diarrhoea), cold hands and feet, shivering, rash, pale or mottled skin (this differs on darker skin), breathing fast and breathlessness, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, exhaustion, being confused and delirious, and seizures. You can read more about the symptoms <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/\"><span>here<\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIt\u2019s important to know that symptoms can appear in any order, and not everyone experiences all of them,\u201d the Meningitis Research Foundation explains. \u201cIf you notice a friend or housemate feeling unwell, check in on them regularly &#8211; even through the night. Trust your instincts, and if you suspect meningitis, seek medical help immediately. Acting quickly could save a life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>GET VACCINATED IF YOU CAN\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>Vaccines prevent the most common, severe causes of meningitis. \u201cIn the UK, the MenACWY vaccine has been routinely offered to teenagers aged 13 to 14 since 2015,\u201d The Meningitis Research Foundation states. \u201cIt\u2019s free, and you can see if you have had it by checking with your doctor or in your health record (often called the red book in the UK). If you missed it, you can still get it before your 25th birthday \u2013 ask your GP.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>While pharmacies are running low on the meningitis B vaccine, you can still contact them (if you are over 25) or your GP, and put yourself in the best position to receive it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>The Meningitis Research Foundation is encouraging young people to get vaccinated not just for themselves, but for the people around them: \u201cTake up the vaccines available to you. If you\u2019re a teenager or young adult, ask your friends if they have had their MenACWY vaccine. This simple question could save a life. If they are unsure, encourage them to check with their parents, carers, or GP. Protecting others can be as easy as sending a message or having a conversation.\u201d Looking out for others also makes you feel good!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE NEWS (BUT DON\u2019T OVERDO IT)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>People are rightly sceptical of the news media and our public officials after the COVID-19 pandemic and what many describe as their biased framing of Israel\u2019s genocide in Gaza. On top of that, the news can make people even more anxious \u2013 but it is important to stay informed on what public officials are saying about this outbreak, as that is where information on release of the vaccines and how meningitis is spreading across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In their official statement on the outbreak, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitisnow.org\/\">Meningitis Now\u2019<\/a>s Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, wants to reassure people that meningitis is a relatively rare disease: \u201cIn the long run, the good news is that the NHS vaccination programme has been very successful in bringing down the number of cases in the UK.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! 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writers?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline\" data-newsletter hidden>\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>The University of Kent has moved its exams and classes online following the ongoing outbreak of meningitis in the county. If you\u2019re like me, you\u2019re probably thinking that you and those around you will be fine, because most of us were vaccinated against infection as children. However, government scientists have just identified the type of meningitis behind the two deaths of one university student and one A-level student:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/meridian\/2026-03-17\/meningitis-b-confirmed-as-strain-behind-outbreak-that-has-left-two-dead\"><span>meningitis B<\/span><\/a><span>, a strain that most people have not been vaccinated against.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The news out of Kent is deeply upsetting, with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itv.com\/news\/meridian\/2026-03-17\/meningitis-b-confirmed-as-strain-behind-outbreak-that-has-left-two-dead\"><span>several<\/span><\/a><span> people being treated in hospital and others being put in an induced coma because of the severity of the infection. Students at the University of Kent have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387?postid=11297012#liveblog-body\"><span>remarked<\/span><\/a><span> how the spread of the disease and their university actions remind them of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/coronavirus\">Covid-19 pandemic<\/a>. However, Prof Anjan Ghosh, director of public health at Kent County Council, has assured the public that this outbreak is not like the past pandemic, telling<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/meningitis-outbreak-latest-university-student-and-school-pupil-die-as-11-also-fall-ill-13520387?postid=11297287#liveblog-body\"><span>Sky News<\/span><\/a><span>: \u201cIt does not spread that easily. It takes quite a lot of prolonged contact for the bacteria to spread from one person to another, because it\u2019s bacterial and not viral.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>It is understandable to be worried about the outbreak of meningitis B after how disastrously the Tory Party handled Covid-19. Still, knowledge is power \u2013 so we called up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/\">The Meningitis Research Foundation<\/a> to help keep us informed on what to look out for, how to protect ourselves and our communities, and how not to freak out about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>KNOW THE SYMPTOMS<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>\u201cMeningitis can affect anyone,\u201d The Meningitis Research Foundation tell Dazed. \u201cBut teenagers and young adults are at higher risk. Early symptoms can look like freshers\u2019 flu, COVID, or even a hangover. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to know what to look out for and how to act fast.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The symptoms of meningitis include: fever and\/or vomiting, severe headache, limb joint, muscle pain (sometimes with stomach pain\/diarrhoea), cold hands and feet, shivering, rash, pale or mottled skin (this differs on darker skin), breathing fast and breathlessness, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, exhaustion, being confused and delirious, and seizures. You can read more about the symptoms <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitis.org\/about-meningitis\/symptoms\/\"><span>here<\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIt\u2019s important to know that symptoms can appear in any order, and not everyone experiences all of them,\u201d the Meningitis Research Foundation explains. \u201cIf you notice a friend or housemate feeling unwell, check in on them regularly &#8211; even through the night. Trust your instincts, and if you suspect meningitis, seek medical help immediately. Acting quickly could save a life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>GET VACCINATED IF YOU CAN\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>Vaccines prevent the most common, severe causes of meningitis. \u201cIn the UK, the MenACWY vaccine has been routinely offered to teenagers aged 13 to 14 since 2015,\u201d The Meningitis Research Foundation states. \u201cIt\u2019s free, and you can see if you have had it by checking with your doctor or in your health record (often called the red book in the UK). If you missed it, you can still get it before your 25th birthday \u2013 ask your GP.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>While pharmacies are running low on the meningitis B vaccine, you can still contact them (if you are over 25) or your GP, and put yourself in the best position to receive it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>The Meningitis Research Foundation is encouraging young people to get vaccinated not just for themselves, but for the people around them: \u201cTake up the vaccines available to you. If you\u2019re a teenager or young adult, ask your friends if they have had their MenACWY vaccine. This simple question could save a life. If they are unsure, encourage them to check with their parents, carers, or GP. Protecting others can be as easy as sending a message or having a conversation.\u201d Looking out for others also makes you feel good!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<h1><strong>KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE NEWS (BUT DON\u2019T OVERDO IT)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span>People are rightly sceptical of the news media and our public officials after the COVID-19 pandemic and what many describe as their biased framing of Israel\u2019s genocide in Gaza. On top of that, the news can make people even more anxious \u2013 but it is important to stay informed on what public officials are saying about this outbreak, as that is where information on release of the vaccines and how meningitis is spreading across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In their official statement on the outbreak, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meningitisnow.org\/\">Meningitis Now\u2019<\/a>s Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, wants to reassure people that meningitis is a relatively rare disease: \u201cIn the long run, the good news is that the NHS vaccination programme has been very successful in bringing down the number of cases in the UK.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/life-culture\/article\/69923\/1\/meningitis-outbreak-uk-symptoms-vaccination&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1024\/0-0-1024-682\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1440\/1\/1441757.jpg&#8221;] Photo by Carl Court\/Getty Images March\u00a0 19,\u00a0 2026 Life &amp; Culture \/ Explainer Life &amp; Culture \/ Explainer How to not freak out about meningitis, according to an expert Following the outbreak of the meningococcal disease at the University of Kent, we spoke to The Meningitis Research Foundation about how best to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,76],"class_list":["post-1834200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dazeddigital-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1834200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1834200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1834200\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1834200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1834200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1834200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}