Meningitis early alert pack, made by Arc, in Britain, c.2009. Information in test is provided by the Meningitis Trust, meant to visually identify whether a rash and other symptoms are indicators of meningitis or septicaemia. Available at the high street chemist Boots.

The arc is a simple, innovative device. It was developed by JR Biomedical Limited to assist diagnosing meningitis or septicaemia. Meningitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the tissues known as the meninges, which surround the brain. Septicaemia is the medical term for blood poisoning. Both conditions produce symptoms similar to severe flu. These include fever, joint pain, sensitivity to light, diarrhoea and vomiting. They also cause a rash due to blood leaking under the skin. In the early stages, the rash looks like pinpricks. It quickly spreads to look like a bruise. The ‘Arc’ is made of curved plastic – although the same test can be performed using a glass tumbler. It is rolled over the rash and if it fails to ‘disappear’ as a normal rash does, this strongly indicates meningitis or septicaemia. Medical advice should be sought immediately.