College students are being urged to make themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

According to ACT for Meningitis, a charity which aims to raise awareness about the potentially fatal disease, while many people associate meningitis with young children, it tends to peak again during adolescence and college students are particularly vulnerable.

The charity has launched a national student awareness campaign roadshow in an effort to educate students about the signs and symptoms of the condition.

"Meningitis is easily misdiagnosed and the symptoms can mimic flu. We have seen through our work with families that some students have dismissed symptoms because they were run down from studying or exams, or maybe had been out the night before and attributed their symptoms to a bad hangover," noted ACT for Meningitis CEO, Siobhan Carroll.

She emphasised that every case of meningitis is different and commonly known symptoms, such as a rash, do not always appear.

"Just this year the US saw an outbreak of meningitis B in both Princeton University and the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). Ireland has the highest incidence of meningococcal disease in Europe with meningitis B accounting for the majority of cases," Ms Carroll pointed out.

Meningitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is the more common form of the disease and is also much milder - people with viral meningitis rarely die from the disease. Bacterial meningitis however, while relatively uncommon, is usually a much more severe disease and can be fatal.

While there are no specific drugs for the treatment of viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. Since the symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis are often identical however, it is important to contact your doctor immediately if you think you have either form of the disease.

Meningitis kills one in 10 people affected and leaves one in five survivors with long-term disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss and amputations.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights, headache, limb pain, a rash and confusion.

"Meningitis is easily misdiagnosed. The symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all so you must trust your instincts. This is not a disease that only affects children. It can strike at any age and students are particularly vulnerable so recognising the symptoms could save your life or the life of a friend," Ms Carroll added.

For more information on the disease and ACT for Meningitis, click here