Many adults unaware of meningitis symptoms

Many adults unaware of meningitis symptoms

The recent death of a two-year-old boy from meningitis at a Lancashire nursery has highlighted, once again, the need for us all to know the symptoms of this devastating disease.

But more than 40 per cent of respondents in a survey of 1,000 British adults said they could not spot the common symptoms of meningitis. The research, carried out for the Meningitis Trust, found that 27 per cent of parents questioned were even unaware that their children fell into the groups that are at high risk.

Children under five represent half of all meningitis cases and more children of this age are killed by meningitis than any other infectious disease. Public Health Laboratory Service figures indicate that since 1998 there has been around a 45 per cent rise in cases of meningococcal B, the most common cause of meningitis in the UK.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain.

• There are two main types of meningitis in the UK - viral and bacterial.
• Viral meningitis is rarely life- threatening, whereas bacterial meningitis can be fatal if not treated quickly with antibiotics.
• There are two main types of bacterial meningitis in the UK: meningococcal (group A, B and C) and pneumococcal.

A vaccine against meningococcal group C was introduced in 1999, and is now part of the routine UK childhood immunisation programme. There has been a 90 per cent reduction in meningococcal C in vaccinated groups since the programme was introduced.

Research into a vaccine against meningococcal B is continuing at centres throughout the world. However, it is estimated that a vaccine is still at least five years away.

The Meningitis Trust has appointed early years training officers in Scotland and Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the disease among student and practising nursery nurses. For details of study days or evening training sessions contact Claire-Ann Jardine in Northern Ireland on 028 6632 7330 or Pauline Fairlie in Scotland on 0141 637 6888.

The Trust also has a 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 0845 6000 800, or log on to www.meningitis-trust.org

By Anne Wiltsher

The symptoms of meningitis

In babies

• High temperature, fever, possibly with cold hands and feet
• Vomiting, or refusing feeds
• High pitched moaning, whimpering cry
• Blank, staring expression
• Pale, blotchy complexion
• Baby may be floppy, may dislike being handled, may be fretful
• Difficult to wake or lethargic
• The fontanelle may be tense or bulging

In adults and children

• Fever
• Vomiting, sometimes diarrhoea
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Joint pains
• Dislike of bright lights
• Drowsiness
• Fits
• The person may be confused or disoriented

Meningitis may not always be easy to spot at first because the symptoms can be similar to those of flu. The above symptoms do not appear in a particular order - and some may not appear at all. Other symptoms may occur as well. The symptoms may develop over one or two days but sometimes occur in hours. Babies, children and adults may have a rash. However, do not wait for a rash - it may be the last symptom to appear and in some cases may not appear at all. Early treatment with antibiotics is vital for meningitis. Contact a GP or go to an A&E department immediately and insist on seeing someone.