Just a hangover? Warwick students at risk of missing meningitis symptoms

When Annie Reeder was in her first year at the University of Warwick, she assumed that she was suffering the consequences of a heavy night out, experiencing what she described as the “worst tension headache, loss of appetite,” and sensitivity to bright lights when, in reality, she was showing the early signs of meningitis.

It was a call to her parents that prompted a trip to A&E, where she was hospitalised for “just over a week” with the life-threatening illness.

only 23% of Warwick students can correctly identify all the signs of meningitis.

Reeder is not alone in having mistaken meningitis symptoms for a bad hangover – university students are “particularly at risk” of missing the illness’ early warning signs as they confuse them with hangovers, according to Charlotte Flynn, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA South East.

In fact, only 23% of Warwick students can correctly identify all the signs of meningitis, according to a poll by The Boar, with almost 80% admitting they would not feel confident in recognising the symptoms in themselves or a friend.

Catching meningitis early is crucial. The disease progresses rapidly and can lead to lifelong complications or death. The lack of knowledge surrounding the illness among Warwick students is therefore of great concern, particularly given that meningitis is most common among university students and teenagers.

Up to a quarter of this younger age group carry meningitis-causing bacteria, in comparison to one in 10 of the general population, according to Meningitis Now. It is these carriers, often healthy and unaware, who are most likely to spread the illness; those suffering from viral or bacterial meningitis are actually less likely to pass it on.

Carried by a significant proportion of young people and spread through everyday contact – such as sharing drinks, coughing, or kissing – meningitis thrives in universities.

The illness occurs when bacteria or viruses cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the meninges, the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The resulting inflammation causes dangerous swelling and pressure inside the skull, while bacteria in the bloodstream can trigger sepsis and rapid tissue damage. Viral meningitis is usually less severe because the viruses do not produce the same toxins or intense inflammatory response as bacteria.

As both forms pose a threat to young people living in close quarters, it is recommended that all incoming students have the MenACWY and MenB vaccines, which are offered to teenagers in year nine at UK secondary schools, and to infants, respectively.

Despite the fact that the NHS website emphasises the importance of meningitis-prevention vaccines, close to 10% of Warwick students do not know that any meningitis vaccines exist, and 11% are unaware that any of these vaccines are recommended for UK university students. 22% of students cannot even remember whether they have had any of the vaccinations.

While vaccines offer crucial protection, they cannot prevent every case. As a result, awareness and quick symptom recognition are vital, especially in student communities where flu, colds, and fatigue are common.

None of Reeder’s flatmates noticed that the symptoms she experienced could have been signs of something more severe than a hangover following a “night out in Smack”. Without Reeder’s parents urging her to take a trip to hospital, who knows what would have happened?

It’s no surprise that in both of these cases, no Warwick students were aware that their friends were unwell with meningitis: 85% have not seen any information about the disease since coming to the University

 

Another group of Warwick students brushed off the warning signs when their teammate fell ill on a sports club international tour last year: her disturbed sleep, headaches, and fever were put down to “exhaustion from term and travelling”.

While she slept for long periods during the day, her peers continued tour activities, and everyone was left completely unaware that she was suffering from meningitis. The girl herself had no clue that these symptoms were signs of a life-threatening illness until she headed to the doctor and, upon her return home, was informed that what she had contracted was not a usual case of the flu.

It’s no surprise that in both of these cases, no Warwick students were aware that their friends were unwell with meningitis: 85% have not seen any information about the disease since coming to the University.

The University have however confirmed to The Boar that they share meningitis symptoms and prevention plans with all students.

In the first welcome email sent to students the importance of vaccines is outlined. This is then emphasised in the general checklist and personalised Welcome Checklist that students are signposted to. Additionally, this year the MyWarwick app directed users to vaccine information.

Beyond vaccine information, the University said that they included information about the symptoms to be aware of in the Welcome magazine that is placed in all on campus rooms, a resource that is available for collection from the Student Communications information point for those in private accommodation.

Reeder hopes that the University will raise greater awareness of meningitis symptoms, as do respondents to The Boar’s poll. 43% of students believe that more emails with information would help, while 37% want posters in campus buildings, and 17% would appreciate receiving a text. One student even suggested a ‘mandatory Moodle course’ which details symptoms and what to do if one suspects they, or a friend, has meningitis.

Awareness campaigns for the latter appear necessary at Warwick, where nearly a fifth of students responded that they would not know what to do if a friend was displaying meningitis symptoms, or that they would wait until the warning signs improved or developed more before acting.

Quick action taken by the friends of Laila Simnett was what ultimately saved her life. Simnett’s friends took her to hospital where she was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and told that if she had come just hours later, she could have died.

For Reeder and many students across the country, meningitis began as what seemed like a routine hangover with a headache, tired eyes, and an achy body. What it became, however, was something grave – a condition that infiltrated their bodies and forced them into hospital beds

Only 40% of Warwick students would have taken their friends to hospital in a similar situation, and only half of the student body would have rung 111 for advice, something which Reeder highly recommends: “Call 111 if you think you have any of the symptoms. They’re great at getting you to see someone with no bureaucracy of a GP.”

The University echoed Reeder’s words saying that they “encourage any student with health concerns, including the possible symptoms of meningitis, to seek medical help immediately”.

A call to 111 could have prevented Reeder’s week-long hospital stay and the twice-daily trips she had to make for intravenous antibiotics in the days following her discharge.

For Reeder and many students across the country, meningitis began as what seemed like a routine hangover with a headache, tired eyes, and an achy body. What it became, however, was something grave – a condition that infiltrated their bodies and forced them into hospital beds.

With meningitis spreading easily in university communities, symptom recognition, awareness, and quick action are as crucial as vaccination.

Taking simple measures – such as staying alert to how your friends are feeling, calling 111 if you have any concerns, and keeping vaccinations up to date – can prevent hospitalisation or fatalities.

So, as you continue to party through this academic year, remember that your morning queasiness could be more than a hangover or a case of the flu. Know the symptoms and be ready to spot meningitis signs in you or a friend.