« Marriage | Home | The Truth »
Meningitis
By peace | November 26, 2005
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that line the brain and spinal cord. There are two main types of meningitis in the UK.
Viral meningitis is the most common, but it’s usually not serious. Some cases are so mild, people aren’t even aware they’ve got it.
Bacterial meningitis isn’t as common, but it is serious - one in 10 cases are fatal, one in seven leaves the survivor with a severe disability. The most common type is meningococcal meningitis, which is divided into five groups: A, B, C, W135 and Y.
Causes of meningococcal meningitis
At least one in 10 people are carrying the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis. It lives naturally in the back of your nose and throat and is harmless to most people. It can be spread through coughing, sneezing and snogging. In a few people, the bacteria overcome the immune system and pass into the blood stream, resulting in meningococcal meningitis.
Symptoms of Meningitis
Initially, the symptoms may seem like flu. They tend to develop quickly and, in adults, can include:
- Vomiting
- Bad headache
- High temperature
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Cold hands and feet
- Diarrhoea
- Stiff neck
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Feeling disorientated
- Inability to look at bright lights
In the UK, five people in 100,000 are diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis every year. Anyone can get any form of meningitis, but children under five, young people aged 14-25 and adults over 55 are most at risk.
If you suspect meningitis, contact your GP or go to your local A&E department immediately. They will probably take a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. If you have bacterial meningitis, you will be treated with antibiotics, probably given by injection. You may also be kept in hospital to monitor the infection. Early treatment is very important, as it increases your chances of making a full recovery.
If you have viral meningitis, it’s unusual to need anything more than rest. Your GP will advise you on what steps to take.
Anyone you’ve been in close contact with may also need to have antibiotic treatment.
Topics: Children, Diseases, Health |
