Today is the 24th April. It is also World Meningitis Day. To mark the day I’m sharing some key information about what can be a serious and indeed fatal infection.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges which are the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Any infection of the meninges is most likely caused by a bacterial or viral infection although parasitic or fungal infection are known.
The bacterial form of the disease is most serious and more commonly affects children under 5. According to research carried out by ACT for Meningitis as a result of this many believe that the disease only affects children however this is most definitely not the case and all should be aware of what to look out for.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
The key things to look out for are:
- severe headache
- vomiting
- high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or over
- stiff neck
- sensitivity to light
- a skin rash
For babies there are additional things to look out for such as :
- Being unusually sleepy
- Very irritable or not wanting to be picked up
- Limp and floppy or stiff and jerky movements
- Pale in colour or turning blue
- Breathing unusually fast
- Cold hands and feet
What is the prognosis?
Viral meningitis is the less serious form of the disease. Many contract it and many never know as it can be similar to any flu-like illness and so recovery will occur after a week or two and with use of pain relief.
For those who contract the bacterial form of the disease it is much more serious. It should be treated as a medical emergency. Treatment is by antibiotics and if caught quickly many will recover fully after a hospital stay.
There are, unfortunately, many cases that result in complications. Issues such as loss of limbs or hearing loss can be permanent reminders of infection with the disease.
To coincide with World Meningitis Day, Meningitis charities have launched a free e-book Protecting our tomorrows: A portrait of Meningococcal Disease. The book is available to download for free at:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/protecting-our-tomorrows/id843351185?ls=1&mt=11
– See more at: http://www.meningitis.org/news-media/wmd#sthash.lN0knHlG.dpuf
– See more at: http://www.meningitis.org/news-media/wmd#sthash.lN0knHlG.dpuf
– See more at: http://www.meningitis.org/news-media/wmd#sthash.lN0knHlG.dpuf