Know the signs and symptoms

Meningococcal disease and measles are both very nasty illnesses and it’s important that you keep an eye out for yourself and your mates - Spring is a key time when both illnesses are more common.

Prevention is always the best positive action you can take to help yourself and your whānau and luckily, vaccines are available.

Keeping up healthy hygiene habits such as washing and drying your hands and covering your nose or mouth when you sneeze or cough, is also a great line of defence!   

Meningococcal disease

A severe bacterial infection that can lead to two very serious illnesses: Meningitis (an infection of the brain membranes) and Septicaemia (blood poisoning). 

Meningococcal can be life-threatening so it’s important that you know the signs and symptoms.

Know what to watch for:

Meningococcal may develop slowly over one to two days or can develop very quickly over just a few hours. It can be treated with antibiotics so early treatment is vital.

It cannot be treated at home – it’s important to seek medical help straight away.

Sometimes a person can feel unwell and then feel better again before becoming very ill, very quickly. Trust your gut and always ring for help.

General symptoms:

• high fever
• headache
• confusion
• sleepiness
• joint and muscle pains

Specific symptoms:

• rash (a rash consisting of reddish-purple pin-prick spots or bruises, that don’t disappear when you press on them with a glass)
• a stiff neck
• dislike of bright lights
• vomiting

Act quickly!

If you or one of your whānau, mates or flat mates, have symptoms like any of the above, act fast.  

• Ring your doctor, or
• Freephone Healthline 0800 611 116 (24 hours, 7 days), or
• Call 111 and ask for an ambulance if you need emergency medical help.

Even if a person has been checked by a doctor, keep an eye on them. If they get worse, go to the hospital. Tell medical staff if the person who is ill is already taking antibiotics as these may mask symptoms.

Protect yourself

Teenagers and young adults living closely together are at higher risk than others of catching Meningococcal but there are vaccines available to protect against it.

1. One dose of vaccine protects against four out of five strains. This dose is FREE for 13 – 25-year-olds if you are currently in your first year of living in tertiary education halls of residence. It is also FREE if you are going to be entering your first year in a hall of residence within the next three months.
2. A vaccine is also now available to protect against meningococcal B. This is not free but is highly recommended for those living closely together.

For more info about getting immunised:

• talk to your doctor
• freephone Healthline on 0800 611 116 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• visit health.govt.nz/meningococcal

Measles 

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that can be life-threatening. Up to 30% of people with measles will develop complications and some will need to be admitted to hospital.

Know what to watch for:

The illness starts around 10 days after you’ve been exposed but the range can be 7 – 13 days.

First symptoms: 

• a fever
• a cough
• a runny nose
• sore and watery ‘pink’ eyes

Next symptoms: 

• a blotchy rash which tends to start on the face, behind the ears, before moving down the body (lasts for up to a week)

Act quickly!

If you think that you or any of your mates or whānau have measles symptoms:

• Ring your doctor, or
• Freephone Healthline 0800 611 116 (24 hours, 7 days).

IMPORTANT: You need to call before visiting the doctor to stop the spread of measles.     

If someone is diagnosed with measles, they need to isolate at home for four days after the rash develops to prevent transmission to others.

Protect yourself

Anyone can develop measles and the best preventative protection is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The vaccine is FREE for those over 18 who are eligible to free health care in Aotearoa New Zealand.

For more info about getting immunised:

• talk to your doctor
• freephone Healthline on 0800 611 116 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• visit https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/measles

Getting support

If you need support in any way, please reach out to our support team. It’s what they’re here for.

• Email studentsuccessdn@op.ac.nz
• Freephone 0800 762 786