Meningitis, external is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Symptoms develop suddenly and can include a high temperature (fever), being sick, a headache, a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop) and a stiff neck.
The inquest heard Zara came home from school on 19 December feeling unwell and began to vomit, which continued throughout the night into the following morning.
Her parents rang 111 and were advised to attend A&E with Zara, who complained of achy limbs and a stiff neck and shoulders “so painful she couldn’t lift her arms”, the inquest heard.
Zara was triaged and assessed by trainee advanced nurse practitioner Alexandra Spedding.
In written testimony, she said there were “no immediate clinical concerns” and the vomiting was “likely viral”.
As a trainee, all of her patients would be examined, she added, and, in Zara’s case, this was done by Dr Derek Huffadine, a registrar who later discharged her.