MENINGITIS Awareness Week is this autumn and everyone is encouraged to learn the symptoms and seek medical help fast if they think family, friends, neighbours and colleagues are seriously ill.

The awareness week starts on Monday, September 15 ahead of the upcoming winter months where cases rise.

It is also important that young adults, who are the second highest at risk group, get their free MenC booster if starting university this year. Freshers up to age 25 have until October 31 to get vaccinated.

For more symptom information and background on the disease and our work visit www.meningitis.org.