Today is World Meningitis Day, a global event which aims to increase awareness of meningitis, emphasise the importance of vaccination and provide support to those who are dealing with the disease.

ACT for Meningitis are the Irish national charity for Meningitis Awareness. Initially set up by Siobhan and Noel Carroll after they lost their daughter Aoibhe to the illness five years ago, the charity was set up to create a greater awareness of the disease and the signs to watch out for.

They have also revealed startling results from a survey which states that most Irish people, a massive 82%, consider a rash to be the first sign of the illness. However, for children suffering pnuemococcal meningitis, a rash is rare and appears in less than 10% of cases. In the other case of meningococcal meningitis, a rash appears in about 50% of cases.

Signs and symptoms to watch out for in small children are being unusually sleepy, very irritable or not wanting to be picked up, a high temperature, limp and floppy or stiff and jerky movements, pale in colour or turning blue, breathing unusually fast and cold hands and feet. Signs that would also occur with adults as well as children would be severe headache, vomiting, dislike of bright lights.

The charity still stresses that if a rash is present, press a glass against it, if the rash doesn't fade, there is a high chance of meningococcal septicaemia. They have also further stressed to trust your instincts and to seek medical help if worried.

For more information, you can visit their website