PEOPLE are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis this winter.

Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) is warning parents of young children as well as teenagers and students to be especially aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia during the winter months as these groups are most at risk, and are not protected against all forms of the disease.

MRF is also urging first-year students to get their Meningococcal C booster if they haven’t already.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of Immunisation for Public Health England, and a key MRF adviser said: “Meningococcal C disease is a rare but life-threatening infection that occurs mainly in children and young adults. Students starting university and mixing with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria, are at risk of infection. As the protection offered by the infant MenC vaccine wanes over time we are reminding university freshers of the importance of getting a booster from their university or college health centre or GP, even if they received it as a young child.”

Meningitis and septicaemia are often mistaken for milder illnesses, such as flu, and in the winter months people are more susceptible because their immune systems can be weakened fighting common infections. Bacterial meningitis and septicaemia can kill and seriously disable a healthy person within hours.

For more information visit www.meningitis.org or call 080 8800 3344.