'After Care & After-Effects Conference', The Meningitis Trust

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 12 Jan 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Meningitis Trust is to host a free 'After Care & After-effects Conference' on March 4, examining the wide range of outcomes of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia, and highlighting the importance of specialist support in helping those affected to rebuild their lives.

The conference at the British Library, London will feature a number of people sharing their personal experiences of these diseases as well as speakers from the health profession including:

Prof. Keith Cartwright Medical Director, Meningitis Trust (Conference Chair)
Dr. Deborah Christie Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Institute of Child Health
Dr. Prof. Simon Kroll Professor of Paediatrics and Molecular Infectious Diseases, Imperial College and St Mary's Hospital, London
Dr. Jennie Borg Research Psychologist
Auditory Verbal UK A national charity committed to the Auditory Verbal approach to helping hearing-impaired children acquire listening and spoken language skills

Meningitis is a life changing disease. Results from recent research carried out by the Meningitis Trust indicate that as many as 500,000 people living in the UK today have had either viral or bacterial meningitis - many of whom have been left to cope with the after-effects every day.

Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, says; "This conference aims to keep the disease high on the agenda of health professionals to ensure prompt, life-saving action is taken and proper care is available to all affected. There will always be meningitis in some form and there will always be people struggling to cope with its after-effects. We are here to assist everyone, including health professionals to help those who are suffering with after-effects of the disease.

"We understand how difficult it is for doctors and other health professionals when dealing with people who have had their lives changed by the disease, but we are here to work with them and help them give the right support to people when they really need it. We know from experience that it is really beneficial for people to have the support they need quickly and in the early stages of the disease."

Dr. Jennie Borg, Research Psychologist, will be speaking at the conference and says; "The true impact of these devastating diseases is far greater than people realise. Many people do survive meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia, but thousands are living with debilitating after-effects. This conference is an opportunity for health professionals and the Meningitis Trust to highlight the importance of specialist support and aftercare for those affected by these diseases."

The Meningitis Trust, a registered charity, helps and supports everyone struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis through the following free services:

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

The Meningitis Trust is completely reliant on voluntary donations to continue its work. For more information or to book your free place, please contact Susanne Malcolm on 01453 768000 or email susannem@meningitis-trust.org. Alternatively download a copy of the booking form online at http://www.meningitis-trust.org/after-effects-conference.html. Book your place as soon as possible as places are going fast.

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 free services:

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

The Meningitis Trust 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.

Meningitis Trust