YOU wake up one morning to an aching head, sensitivity to the light and the need to vomit. Would you assume you had just another migraine, a hangover, or a 24-hour bug? Or would you consider the idea that you could have something worse?

If you experience symptoms like these, Public Health England (PHE) wants you to know there is a very real chance that you could have meningitis.

The warning comes during Meningitis Awareness Week and as millions of young people are preparing to leave for university across Somerset.

Only 22 per cent of 18-year-olds in the South West have been vaccinated against meningococcal disease at the end of August this year, according to data from general practice surgeries.

And PHE is targeting young people about to move away to university in a bid to raise awareness of the condition.

New students are surrounded by new people, some of whom unknowingly carry the bacteria, enabling it to spread quickly, and they are being urged to get a vaccination from their GP either at home or at their new place of study.

According to PHE, there has been an increase in this strain of group W meningococcal disease (MenW).

From 2015-16, there were 209 cases of MenW in England. There have been no recorded MenW cases in young people who received this vaccine, which will also help protect against three other strains – MenA, MenC and MenY.

Julie Yates, screening and immunisation lead for PHE South West, said: “We’ve introduced this vaccine because of a rapid increase in cases of MenW across England, with new students particularly at risk.

“This vaccination is highly effective and can save lives and prevent devastating, lifelong disability.

“It’s only a month since we first made our appeal to these teenagers, so we know many will still be making arrangements to get vaccinated.

“But I strongly urge those who haven’t done so to get their injection now. If you’re not registered with a GP yet at university, get registered and get your jab.

“New students should be alert to the signs and symptoms and should not wait for a rash to develop before seeking medical attention urgently.

“Students are also encouraged to look out for their friends, particularly if they go to their room unwell.”

Running until September 25, Meningitis Awareness Week is run by the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) and aims to increase the knowledge of the symptoms.

The charity estimates that there has been 3,200 cases of meningitis, including all strains, and septicaemia every year in the UK.

The disease kills one in 10 and leaves a quarter with life-altering after-effects, ranging from deafness to brain damage to loss of limbs.

The symptoms include: fever, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, severe muscle pains and headaches. The most commonly know symptoms are a rash and a stiff neck, but there isn’t always a rash to spark a warning.

Babies, toddlers and young adults are most at risk, but it can strike anyone, of any age, at any time.

John McGinn, from Wellington, lost his daughter Nicky when she was 28 years old.

She didn’t have a rash but her disease quickly developed and took her life in a matter of days.

Now, Mr McGinn and his daughter Kelly Enfield dedicate much of their time to raising awareness of the disease.

Mr McGinn said: “Once meningitis strikes you’ve got two chances: you either live or you die.

“It can be extremely difficult to diagnose, and doctors can slip up a few times.

“There wasn’t a vaccination to give Nicky when she was younger.

“It all happened so fast and she was taken from us, leaving behind her two-year-old daughter and her husband.”

Recently, to mark the 20th anniversary of Nicky’s passing, the family hosted an event for people to come and learn about the symptoms, as well as remembering Nicky and listening to their father’s band play.

Mrs Enfield, who is a deputy manager at the Wellington Children’s Centre, said spreading awareness is something she believes is very important.

She said: “There are so many different strains now, over the years I have been doing lots of different events. It is really important for me to keep this issue high on the agenda.

“We wanted to do something special this year.

“More than 100 people turned up to our event, the tickets sold out in two weeks.”

The event raised just under £2,000, with half of the amount raised going to the Meningitis Research Foundation.

MRF chief executive, Vinny Smith, said families like the McGinns were vital in spreading the word about meningitis.

“We are so grateful to John and his family for raising awareness in Somerset during Meningitis Awareness Week,” she said.

“MRF funds vital scientific research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia but there are still some forms of the disease which are not covered by vaccines so it is vital that people are aware of the symptoms.

“We encourage everyone to be vigilant and to get medical help if you spot the symptoms.”

Councillor Anna Groskop, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing for Somerset County Council, backed the week and called for young people to get immunised.

“I would urge all young people starting Freshers Week at their new university to make it their top priority to get their jab from their GP, either at home, or where they are studying,” she said.

“Parents should also make a point of reminding young people starting university that they need to get this vaccination now as it could potentially save their life.”