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Meningitis Awareness

Medical negligence solicitor, Heather Smith discusses meningitis awareness and why it is key when it comes to seeking prompt medical advice for such a time critical infection.

heather-smith-meningitis

Heather Smith

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can be very serious in some cases and can cause life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can permanantly damage the brain and/or nerves.

Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most commonly seen in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

Can meningitis be treated?

There are now vaccines available in the UK to protect against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, but these cannot yet protect us against all strains of the disease.

When diagnosed quickly, many patients make a full recovery from the infection, but speed of action is the key. This is why it is so important to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms and to seek immediate medical advice from a trained professional if you have any concerns.

Main symptoms of meningitis

  • fever and/or vomiting
  • severe headache
  • rash (anywhere on the body)
  • stiff neck (less common in young children)
  • dislike of bright lights (less common in young children)
  • very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake
  • confused/delirious
  • seizures/fits

Additional signs in babies

  • tense or bulging soft spot on their head
  • refusing to feed
  • irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry
  • a stiff body with jerky movements, or else floppy and lifeless
  • f ever is often absent in babies less than three months of age

The tumbler test

If you are worried about someone with a combination of the above symptoms and/or if they are seriously unwell, seek immediate medical advice.

If, however, they are not too unwell and have developed a new rash you may consider doing the tumbler test as follows:

  1. Check the entire body for tiny red/brown pin prick marks, which can also change into larger blotches or blood blisters.
  2. It can be harder to see septicaemic rash on darker skin, so carefully check lighter areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash can also sometimes be visible inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth.
  3. Place a clear glass firmly against the rash.
  4. If you can see any of the marks clearly through the glass then seek immediate urgent medical advice.

We all hope that ourselves and our loved ones won’t be affected by meningitis, but please share this story with your friends and colleagues to make sure that they too are aware of the signs and symptoms in the event that they may be affected in the future.

Further information

You can get much more information about meningitis on the Meningitis Research Foundation’s website.

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