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Guide to Meningitis	Christmas Meningitis Alert
What are meningitis and septicaemia? Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by either bacteria or viruses. Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and multiplying uncontrollably. How many types of meningitis are there? There are two main types of meningitis: viral and bacterial. Viral is rarely life threatening, but it can make people very weak. Bacterial meningitis is more serious and needs urgent medical treatment.
	Meningococcal disease is the main cause of most cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia - the blood poisoning and more dangerous form of the disease. Of all the cases in the UK, Group B accounts for about 60% and group C about 40%. Although the introduction of the new C vaccine will significantly reduce its incidence in the UK. What are the signs and symptoms? In adults and older children: High temperature, fever, vomiting, sometimes diarrhoea, severe headache, neck stiffness (unable to touch the chin to the chest), dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, joint or muscle pains (sometimes stomach cramps with septicaemia), fitting, the patient may be confused or disoriented. Not all symptoms may be present. Both adults and babies may have a rash (see below).
In babies and infants: fever with hands and feet feeling cold refusing feeds or vomiting high pitched moaning cry or vomiting dislike of being handled, fretful neck retraction with arching of back blank and staring expression difficult to wake, lethargic pale blotchy complexion Septicaemic rash. Some bacteria which cause meningitis can often cause septicaemia (blood poisoning). Septicaemia is particularly associated with the meningococcal bacteria. With meningococcal septicaemia a rash appears under the skin which may start anywhere on the body as a cluster of tiny spots, which look like pin-pricks in the skin. If untreated, these blood spots will join to give the appearance of fresh bruises. The 'glass test' can be used to see if a rash might be septicaemia. If you press the side of a clear drinking glass firmly onto the spots or bruises, they will not fade. N.B. In a small number of cases, the rash may fade at first, but may later change into one that does not. The rash should be taken seriously - a doctor should be called immediately. Do not wait for the rash. It may be the last symptom to appear, and in cases of meningitis without septicaemia may not appear at all.
What should you do? If someone you know is ill and you suspect meningitis/ meningococcal septicaemia contact a doctor immediately. Describe the symptoms carefully, mention that you think it might be meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia. If a doctor is not available go straight to the nearest Accident Emergency Department and insist on seeing someone. If it is meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia, early treatment with antibitoics is vital. MENINGITIS AND MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA NEED URGENT ATTENTION Viral meningitis is much more common and is rarely life threatening, but it can make people very weak. It is impossible to quote figures for viral meningitis because many mild cases may not even be reported by the sufferer. Who is at risk? The most at-risk groups are the under 5s and the 15-17 year-olds. How is it spread? The bacteria are very common and live naturally in the back of the nose and throat. It is spread by people coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing. The bacteria do not live for very long outside the body, so can't be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools or buildings. People of any age can carry the bacteria for days, weeks or months without becoming ill and carrying the bacteria can help to make you more immune to meningitis. Occasionally, they overcome the body's defences and cause meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia. Vaccines A new vaccine for group C meningococcal disease became available in Autumn 1999. It will give long-term protection against this strain and will be given as part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme. There is no vaccine against meningococcus group B, which is still the most common group causing meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.
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