We have been informed by Public Health England (PHE) that a Royal Holloway student has recently developed symptoms of meningitis and is receiving appropriate treatment. The immediate family and close contacts of the student concerned have received medical advice and treatment.
There are some 2,500 cases of meningitis per year in the UK, but 95% of cases are single isolated incidents. The risk of other students or staff acquiring meningitis from a single case is minimal and, under such circumstances, there is no need for isolation or antibiotic treatment of casual or social contacts, whether they be students or staff.
Health Authority advice is to recognise signs and symptoms early as this provides better treatment outcomes for cases. Early signs and symptoms of meningitis are:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike of bright light
- Seizures
- Confusion/delirium
- Extreme sleepiness
- Difficulty walking
Find out more about the signs and symptoms on the NHS website. Further advice is also available at Meningitis Now. If you have any concerns about your health, please contact your GP immediately.
We appreciate that cases of meningitis cause concern, however, the risk of another case is very small.
Student Advisory & Wellbeing Services