Last updated at 12:07, Thursday, 15 November 2012

LEARNING some basic first aid – pressure on a wound or a slap on the back – can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity has teamed up with the North-West Evening Mail to bring you some simple, but life saving, first aid tips. This week: recognising and dealing with meningitis.

TEST: St John Ambulance offers advice on spotting the early signs of meningitis

THE nation’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance, is reminding people to be aware of the early signs of meningitis.

Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) estimates that about 3,400 people get bacterial meningitis and associated septicaemia in the UK each year.

In Cumbria there have been 39 patients admitted into hospital with meningitis over the past two years – approximately 19 people per year.

People are being reminded to look out for signs of meningococcal disease which can be mistaken in its early stages for flu or a hangover.

Common early symptoms of the disease (although not all of these symptoms may be present) are:

• Flu-like illness with a high temperature;
• Cold hands and feet;
• Joints and/or limb pain;
• Mottled or very pale skin.

As infection develops symptoms are:

• Neck stiffness;
• Eyes become sensitive to light;
• Drowsiness;
• A distinct rash of red or purple spots that look like bruises and do not fade when pressed;
• In infants, a high-pitched moaning or whimpering cry, floppiness and a tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft part of the skull).

If you notice any of the signs of meningitis, seek urgent medical advice.

Keep the casualty cool and give plenty of water to replace fluids lost through sweating. An adult may take the recommended dose of paracetamol tablets; a child may have the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup.

Check the casualty for signs of the meningitis rash by pressing against the rash with the side of a glass. Most rashes will fade when pressed; if you can still see the rash through the glass, it is probably meningitis.

Call 999/112 for emergency help if you see signs of the rash. Reassure the casualty, keep them cool and monitor vital signs until emergency help arrives.

Launched last year, the St John Ambulance First Aid iPhone app became an instant success and was the UK’s best selling health and fitness app. It has now been downloaded by more than 100,000 people and is free to download from the Apple App Store. For a free first aid guide text HELP to 80039 or for more information about first aid advice or courses please visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 104950.

First published at 16:25, Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk