A TEENAGER is in intensive care at the Great Western Hospital with suspected meningitis. The former St Joseph's School pupil is seriously ill after being admitted last week.

Health bosses immediately alerted the school, where the boy is no longer a pupil, but where his younger siblings still attend.

Peter Wells, head of the 1,200-pupil Nythe Road school, issued a letter to parents at the end of last week warning them of the symptoms of the potentially deadly infection.

But he stressed there was no apparent risk to staff and pupils.

The victim's family declined to comment and out of respect to them, the Evening Advertiser has decided not to print his name or address.

Mr Wells's letter read: "I have been in contact with the Wiltshire Health Protection Team and have been advised that there is no increased risk of other children in the school developing the illness.

"For a single case occurring in a family member of a pupil, no specific action is indicated with regards to other children and members of staff at the school."

Yesterday, Mr Wells told the Adver: "Both the school nurse and the health authorities felt that a wide vaccination programme was not necessary in this instance.

"Had any of our pupils been affected it would have been a very different approach.

"Although we are very pleased that both siblings have been completely cleared of meningitis, we are obviously extremely sorry that a former pupil is ill.

"We are now taking care of his siblings' social welfare a role that we take seriously at St Joseph's."

A spokesman for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority said he could not confirm the case.

There are different forms of the disease and it is not known which the teenager is thought to have. Most people make a quick and full recovery from viral meningitis while bacterial meningitis is more serious and can be caused by a range of different bacteria.

Different forms of the disease

MENINGITIS is the inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.

The two forms of the disease have different symptoms. People who recover from meningitis and septicaemia may be left with a range of after effects that dramatically alter their lives.

Meningitis is usually bacterial or viral, and occasionally is due to fungal infections, although almost any microbe can cause it.

Viral meningitis can be very unpleasant but it is almost never life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery.

Bacterial meningitis is more serious and can be caused by a range of different bacteria, although most cases in the UK are caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis or septicaemia or both. Most people who get the disease have some symptoms of both meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia; together these two forms of the disease are known as meningococcal disease.

Septicaemia is the more life threatening form of the disease and is more dangerous when there are no signs of meningitis.

Meningitis and septicaemia are not always easy to recognise at first.

In the early stages, signs and symptoms can be similar to many other more common illnesses like flu. Early symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright light and general tiredness.

A bruising-type rash that does not disappear when pressed under a glass tumbler can also develop.

Anyone in any doubt should visit their GP immediately.

For out-of-hours health emergencies call 01793 541111. NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 4647.

Kevin Shoesmith