Warnings that hangover effects could be meningitis

PEOPLE were warned yesterday not to confuse the signs of meningitis with the after-effects of a heavy night of drinking.

Headaches, vomiting, confusion and aching limbs are all symptoms of the deadly disease, which can kill in under four hours.

People are most at risk from meningitis during the winter months, when weakened immune systems and circulating germs encourage it to strike.