The Meningitis Trust Issues 'Back To School' Warning, UK

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 03 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The Meningitis Trust is issuing a warning about the dangers of meningitis as students return to school, college and university this autumn.

The charity - which provides practical and emotion support to anyone affected by meningitis - is urging all parents, students and teachers to be vigilant of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Meningitis is an infectious disease that can kill within hours and leave some survivors with severe after-effects including brain damage, sight and hearing loss, and where septicaemia has occurred, limb loss and scarring.

While children under 5 are most 'at risk' for meningitis, teenagers and students are the second most at risk group (aged 15 - 23 yrs). It is estimated that 10% of the population carry the organism which causes meningitis, but this increases to 25% for students. Transmission of this organism is by droplets going from person to person when coughing, sneezing or through close personal contact such as kissing.

Harriet Penning of the Meningitis Trust says, "Shared accommodation arrangements, sitting in close confines and prolonged exposure to bacteria can all unfortunately lead to an increased risk of infection".

Identifying the signs and symptoms of meningitis can be difficult as they can easily appear like more common illnesses such as flu. The Meningitis Trust is asking people to learn these signs and to trust their instincts if they suspect anything.

The Trust produces FREE life-saving cards designed to fit inside your wallet, which display the signs and symptoms of meningitis. The Trust currently gives out more than 2 million cards each year, but as it celebrates its 21st anniversary this October, it's urging more people than ever to request one and carry it at all times. The card is available free from the Meningitis Trust's freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0800 028 18 28.

The symptoms of meningitis can include; fever with cold hands and feet, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and in some cases a rash which doesn't disappear under pressure. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

About the Meningitis Trust

As many as 500,000 people living in the UK today have had either viral or bacterial meningitis. And up to 10 million adults in the UK - one adult in every four - knows of someone who has had the disease. The Meningitis Trust, a registered charity, helps and supports everyone struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis through the following professional free services:

" a freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline - 0800 028 18 28 " counselling " home visiting " financial grants to fund special equipment; respite care; therapeutic activities; special training; travel and accommodation costs.

The Meningitis Trust is the UK's longest established meningitis charity and is completely reliant on voluntary donations to continue its work.

About Meningitis

Meningitis is life-threatening and affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis and associated septicaemia (blood poisoning) can kill within hours and can affect anyone at any time. Those most at risk are children under the age of five, teenagers and young adults, and people over 55.

Symptoms commonly include fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, joint or muscle pain, drowsiness, confusion, and, in babies, a dislike of being handled, pale blotchy skin, an unusual cry and a blank staring expression. Both adults and children may also have a rash that doesn't fade under pressure (a sign of septicaemia). Symptoms may appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

The Meningitis Trust