Meningitis
Meningitis is the infectious disease we all dread because it is difficult to diagnose and can quickly become life-threatening. In the early stages symptoms can be mistaken for colds, flu or even a hangover, so it's vital to know the signs, to be vigilant and trust your instincts. If in doubt, seek medical help immediately.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain. Viral meningitis is not usually serious but, like flu, can make you very unwell. The less common bacterial form, however, can be life-threatening and needs to be treated in hospital with antibiotics - fast. One in 10 people with bacterial meningitis will die, while one in seven will be left with long-term disability, such as deafness, brain damage or, when septicaemia (blood poisoning) occurs, limb loss. There are four main types of bacterial meningitis in the UK: meningococcal B, meningococcal C, pneumoccal and Hib.
Why are students at risk?
One in four young people (18-24 years) carry the bacteria that cause meningitis at the back of their throat, compared with one in 10 in the general population. Shared living arrangements and intimate interaction among students may also add up to an increased risk of contracting meningitis.
How is meningitis spread?
The bacteria that cause meningitis cannot live for more than a few seconds outside the body. So it requires close, prolonged contact with an infected person to develop meningitis - intimate kissing, sharing the same bed, the same household, exposure to coughing and sneezing.
What about vaccines?
The meningococcal Group C vaccine is part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme and can be given on request through GPs to everyone under 25 years. The Hib (haemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine is routinely given to babies to prevent Hib meningitis. The pneumococcal vaccine is given to children under three, who are considered to be at risk. No vaccine is yet available for meningococcal B, the UK's most common bacterial form of meningitis, and each vaccine will only protect against one particular type of meningitis.
The symptoms
If any two or three of the following symptoms occur together, in any order, seek medical advice immediately:
• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• Neck Stiffness
• Very high temperature
• Aversion to bright light
• Drowsiness and confusion
• Joint pains and stiffness
• Generally becoming very unwell very quickly.
Sometimes, but not always, a rash appears. It looks like tiny red purple pinpricks or bleeding under the skin. The rash won't blanche - go white - under pressure. If a drinking glass is pressed firmly against the rash, it doesn't disappear.
The Meningitis Trust is available to help
You can call the Meningitis Trust's Helpline day or night on 0845 6000 800 or visit our website www.meningitis-trust.org
You can obtain symptoms cards and leaflets by calling the Helpline or emailing info@meningitis-trust.org
