Meningitis

🔴 Red (high risk)

• Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
• Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib, unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
• Breathing that stops or pauses
• Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
• Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
• Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
• Has a fit (seizure)
• Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (see the 'Glass Test')
• Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red features)
  Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

🟠 Amber (moderate risk)

• A severe headache and neck stiffness/pain
• Discomfort with bright lights (photophobia)
• Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
• Dry skin, lips or tongue
• Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
• Poor feeding babies (less than half of their usual amount)
• Irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
• Is 3-6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
• Temperature of 38oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever(rigors)
• Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
• Getting worse or you are worried about them
  Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
  If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features

🟢 Green (low risk)

If the child has none of symptoms outlined in Red or Amber the parent should:

• Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
• If your child has any other symptoms associated with their fever, you may want to look at the information on sore throat, cough, earache, diarrhoea and vomiting or tummy ache or our other pathways.
• Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies
• If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
  Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111