Rashes
Rashes will not always develop when you have meningitis. This is often a sign that the infection has progressed significantly in the body. The rashes often appear when Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterial cause of meningitis, has already entered the bloodstream [6]. The bacteria in the blood and reproduce damage the cells around the capillaries. This damage results in blood leaks which show up on the skin as tiny rash spots.
The rashes caused by septicemia may sometimes be indistinguishable from normal rashes. One way to tell the difference is to use what is known as a glass test. Press a glass cup firmly over the surface of your skin. If it is a regular rash, it should fade. If the rash is caused by meningitis, it will still be visible through the glass. This test is not foolproof.
The rashes are easier to spot on light skin. On darker skin, they are better observed on the palms or other lighter areas of the body.