PARENTS of schoolchildren are being warned to look out for symptoms of deadly brain bug meningitis, which can kill in less than four hours.

Charity Meningitis UK is stressing the importance of being able to spot the signs of the potentially lethal disease.

Rates of the illness typically rise at this time of year, when children have returned to school.

A study shows that up to 1,414 people living in St Helens could still be struggling to cope with the life changing after-effects of meningitis.

It is estimated that 25 people from the town will fight the impact of the devastating disease over the next year.

Meningitis UK say most people know to look for a rash, but one is not always present.

Parents should look out for a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light as well as difficulty supporting their own weight, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, confusion and drowsiness.

The charity say that it is also crucial to get children vaccinated, and stresses the importance of making sure youngsters receive booster shots to reduce the risk of infection.

However, although there are vaccinations for some forms of the disease there is still no vaccine to guard against the most common and one of the most deadly forms – meningitis B Meningitis UK’s chief executive, Steve Dayman, who tragically lost his own son Spencer to the disease, said: “It is vital parents trust their instincts and seek medical treatment as quickly as possible. In the absence of a vaccine against all forms of meningitis, this could mean the difference between life and death.”

What makes Meningitis particularly deadly is that in the early stages the symptoms can be similar to other non-life threatening childhood diseases.

Although it can affect anyone of any age babies, children under the age of five, young people aged 16-24 and the elderly are most at risk.

Every year in the UK there are approximately 3000 recorded cases of all forms of meningitis. Around 300 of these people die and hundreds more are left with permanent disabilities.

Meningitis UK is offering the public free symptom information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and FAQs. Plus a ‘Check the Symptoms’ fridge and a handy wallet sized card.

To order your free information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit meningitisUK.org