Don’t assume it’s Covid, Charity warns

Don’t assume it’s Covid, as Charity warns life-threatening illness could go undiagnosed.

The charity Meningitis Now has issued the warning, ‘Don’t assume it’s Covid-19’. They believe that life-threatening illnesses risk going undiagnosed if people, particularly young people, follow government advice to self-isolate if they suspect they have Covid 19. The charity has warned that people aged 15 to 24 years old need to carefully look at their symptoms if they fall ill. If the illness is meningitis or septicaemia rather than Covid, then action is vital and could save lives.

Dr Tom Nutt, Meningitis Now chief executive said: “Research has shown that up to a quarter of 15 to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the back of their throats compared to one in 10 of the general population.

“Whilst many young people will have been vaccinated against MenACWY, which protects against four strains of meningococcal meningitis, at school, we estimate that up to half a million under-25s may have missed this important vaccination.

“If that’s you – contact your GP and see if you can get up to date with your vaccinations.”

Many of the signs of meningitis could be mistaken for COVID or even a hangover according to the charity. Meningitis symptoms include fever, headache and drowsiness. The charity hopes that young people heading to university soon will make sure that they are aware of the symptoms.

Dr Nutt said: “Common complaints such as a hangover and Freshers’ Flu are often given as reasons for a person not feeling too well – but we are asking young people not to simply assume this is the case.

“A headache and fever are also common signs of meningitis, which is why it is so important that if young people feel unwell, they should not jump to what seems the obvious conclusion – Covid-19 or just a hangover.”

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