'B Aware' of meningitis'

By Clodagh Brennock*

The Meningitis Research Foundation’s awareness week is being held this week.

This year’s theme is B Aware. In order to 'B Aware' of the symptoms and know what to do if a case is suspected, the Foundation is encouraging people to contact their Freefone 24 hour helpline on 1800 41 33 44 to get their FREE B Aware symptoms information pack.

Meningitis and septicaemia are devastating diseases which can kill in hours. Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord; septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.

They can occur separately or at the same time. Septicaemia on its own is the more life-threatening form of the disease. Bacteria and viruses are the most common cause of meningitis; viral meningitis is usually less serious than bacterial.

Meningitis and septicaemia can affect anyone of any age at any time, but it is babies, children and young adults who are most at risk. About 300 people a year in Ireland will get meningitis and / or septicaemia and more than 60% of all cases occur in children under four.

These diseases can be fatal and often survivors are left with long-term after effects like amputations, brain damage, deafness and cerebral palsy. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can lead to a better outcome and that is why the awareness week focus is to B Aware of the symptoms.

Although vaccines offer great protection against meningitis and septicaemia, not all forms are vaccine- preventable, and not all vaccines are currently available as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme in Ireland.

The meningitis C vaccine was introduced in Ireland in 2000 and since then the rate of disease caused by this bacteria has dropped by 96%. The Hib vaccine was introduced in 1992 and there has also been a dramatic decline in meningitis caused by the Hib bacteria.

The pneumococcal vaccine is currently not part of the routine immunisation programme. This vaccine protects against pneumococcal meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia.

Pneumococcal meningitis is more deadly than other major forms of meningitis, killing one in five of those affected. The vaccine also provides protection against less serious pneumococcal disease such as ear infections, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

The Department of Health has stated that the vaccine will be incorporated into the schedule sometime in 2008.

There is no vaccine against the meingitis B strain. This bacteria is responsible for the majority of meningitis cases in Ireland. Sadly, five children already this year have died as a result of MenB meningitis.

Symptoms for septicemia and meningitis include:

Septicaemia
Fever/vomiting
Limb / joint / muscle pain
Cold hands and feet / shivering
Pale or mottled skin
Breathing fast / breathless
Rash (anywhere on the body)
Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake
Confused / delirious
Meningitis
Fever/vomiting
Severe headache
Stiff neck (Less common in young children)
Dislike of bright lights (Less common in young children)
Very sleepy / vacant / difficult to wake
Confused / delirious
Rash (anywhere on the body-not present in all cases)
Seizures.
(The more serious symptoms are a rash, sleepiness, confusion/delirium, and seizures)

Additional symptoms in babies include:
*Tense or bulging soft spot
*Refusing to feed
*Irritable when picked up, with a high pitch or moaning cry
*A stiff body with jerky movements, or else floppy / lifeless.


If you suspect someone has meningitis or septicaemia, seek medical help immediately. It is important to remember that symptoms can appear in any order.

Not everyone gets all of these symptoms and septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis.

The Rash
Watch out for tiny red or brown pin prick marks which can change into purple blotches or blood blisters. If someone is ill and gets a rash, do the Tumbler Test.

If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the marks will not fade. You will be able to see them through the glass. If this happens, get medical help immediately.

This rash can be harder to see on dark skin, so check for spots over the whole body, especially on paler areas like palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, on the tummy, inside the eyelids, and on the roof of the mouth.

Remember, a very ill person needs medical help even if there are only a few spots, a rash that fades or no rash at all. Trust your instincts.

The Meningitis Research Foundation funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected.

A wide range of literature and information is produced for the public and also for health professionals both in the primary care and hospital setting.

For further information on meningitis and septicaemia or the work of the Foundation, go to http://www.meningitis.org The website also provides written and audio information on meningitis and septicaemia in 22 languages.

*Clodagh Brennock B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc
Medical Information Officer
Meningitis Research Foundation

[Posted: Thu 20/09/2007]