Meningitis Trust Urge People Not To Suffer In Silence

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 07 Jun 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Responding to news that a couple jumped to their death because they were left devastated by the death of their son, who lost his life to meningitis, Sue Davie, Chief Executive at the Meningitis Trust, says:

"At the Meningitis Trust we are constantly reminded how devastating meningitis can be; changing people's lives in an instant. Survivors can face a future with devastating after-effects, families can face a future without a loved-one.

Everyday we work with people who are struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis. We see first-hand the trauma that the disease can cause to an individual, their family and even a whole community. We are here to offer support and information to anyone affected by the disease - we don't want people to suffer in silence.

For many, the suddenness of the disease and the speed with which it develops, is both shocking and overwhelming - with families left feeling stunned and traumatised, sometimes in a matter of hours.

We offer a free, confidential helpline, 0800 028 18 28, which is available 24-hours a day and manned by specially trained nurses. It offers a crucial lifeline to more than 1,200 people every month, many of which have been affected by the disease. It is also the gateway to our free professional support services; providing anyone affected by the disease with support when they need it, for as long as they need it.

With as many as 500,000 people living in the UK who have had either viral or bacterial meningitis and up to one adult in every four knowing of someone who has had meningitis, our ongoing work is much-needed.

We are dedicated to providing practical and emotional support for life, to anyone affected by the disease. We are also committed to raising life-saving awareness of the disease and its signs and symptoms. As the disease can strike anyone, of any age, at any time, we would urge everyone to be aware of the symptoms. These include; fever (possibly with cold hands and feet), headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion. In babies, an unusual cry, dislike of being handled and refusing feeds are also signs that can point to meningitis. These symptoms can appear in any order and may not appear at all. If in doubt, always seek urgent medical advice".

Source
Meningitis Trust