Health chiefs issue urgent warning to students over life-threatening virus that targets the brain

STUDENTS about to start or head back to university are being urged to get a jab to protect against a deadly brain-swelling virus.

Freshers are at high risk of becoming infected with meningitis as they tend to mix closely with lots of people. 

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It's usually triggered by a bacterial or viral infection which causes swelling of the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

In a statement from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), experts warn that students get "seriously ill, and some tragically die" from the preventable disease every year. 

The MenACWY jab is typically offered in year 9 or 10 to children aged 13-15 as protection against serious infections like meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly.

The jab is also available to anyone who missed the vaccine up to their 25th birthday.

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Cases of a rare brain-swelling infection have more than doubled in the UK - rising from 80 in 2020 to 205 by the end of 2021.

Experts have put the rise down to exceptionally low cases in 2020, which may be due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, which significantly reduced the spread of bugs.

Health chiefs are also urging young people to make sure they are up to date with their other free  childhood and adolescent vaccines - including measles and  ahead of the new school year.

"We usually see increases in cases of meningococcal meningitis after the university term starts in September," said Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. 

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"New and returning students from around the country and overseas coming together and mixing means infection spreads easily, with some students becoming seriously ill and tragically in some cases, we see deaths. 

"I urge young people starting or returning to university to check they’re up to date on their MenACWY, HPV and MMR jabs and to contact their GP if unsure."

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:

• A high fever over 37.5 degrees - the average human temperature
• Being sick
• A headache
• A blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it
• Stiffness, especially in the neck
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
• Cold hands and feet
• Seizures

The classic rash associated with meningitis usually looks like small, red pinpricks at first.

But it will spread over the body and turn into red or purple blotches.

If you press the side of a glass firmly against the skin where the rash is and it does not fade, it is a sign of blood poisoning and you should get medical help immediately.

The has warned the symptoms can easily be mistaken for a hangover.

The charity urged people to look out for the symptoms in family and friends during winter when the illness is more prevalent.

What vaccines should you or your child have at each age?

EIGHT WEEKS OLD

6-in-1 vaccine – covers diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus, polio, tetanus and whooping cough

Rotavirus vaccine – for highly infectious stomach bugs that cause diarrhoea and vomiting

MenB vaccine – protects against meningococcal group B bacteria that cause meningitis and sepsis

TWELVE WEEKS OLD

6-in-1 vaccine (second dose)

Pneumococcal vaccine – guards against pneumonia and meningitis

Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)

SIXTEEN WEEKS OLD

6-in-1 vaccine (third dose)

MenB vaccine (second dose)

ONE YEAR OLD

Hib/MenC vaccine – haemophilus booster and meningitis C vaccine.

MMR vaccine – guards against measles, mumps and rubella

Pneumococcal vaccine (dose two)

MenB vaccine (third dose)

TWO YEARS TO 11 YEARS

Children’s flu vaccine – given every year until children finish ­primary school

THREE YEARS AND 4 MONTHS

MMR vaccine (second dose)

4-in-1 pre-school booster – for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio

TWELVE YEARS OLD

HPV vaccine – to protect against cancers including cervical, mouth, throat, anal and genital areas

FOURTEEN YEARS OLD

3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine – diphtheria tetanus and polio

MenACWY vaccine – meningitis

What jabs do adults need?

FLU VACCINE: Over-65s, pregnant women and at-risk health groups

PNEUMONIA: For over-65s and at-risk groups

MMR: Get this at least a month before getting pregnant if you haven’t had it already

SHINGLES: Over-70s

COVID: Children aged six months to four years old if they are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid.Adults who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid due to a health condition or age will be contacted by the NHS this autumn for a booster.

If you think you or your child has missed a jab, speak to your GP.

It's best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them.