GWENT students heading off to university are being urged to arm themselves with the knowledge to spot meninigitis, as part of a UKwide campaign.
The charity Meningitis UK is offering free wallet-size symptoms cards to all students starting or returning to college or university to try to prevent cases of the potentially killer disease.
Those aged 14-24 are particularly susceptible to the disease, the symptoms of which include a headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright light.
Signs associated with septicaemia include cold hands and feet, aching limbs and a pin-prick rash which can rapidly develop into purple bruising.
Meningitis can kill in just four hours, and Meningitis UK chief executive Kate Rowland said students sometimes mistake the symptoms for a hangover.
“Knowing the signs can save lives because the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival,” she said.
A free symptoms card and further information is available from Meningitis UK on 0117 947 6320, or visit www.meningitisUK.org where a video is available.
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