Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection and describes two major illnesses which can occur independently, but most commonly together – meningitis and septicaemia. Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Septicaemia is a severe infection of the blood.
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical treatment. Viral meningitis is more common, and although usually less serious, can still make people feel very ill.
The bacteria, that cause meningitis, can live in the back of the nose and throat. Around one in ten adults, and up to one in three young people, may be carrying these bacteria at any one time. This is usually harmless. It is only very occasionally that these bacteria are able to invade the body, get into the bloodstream and cause meningitis or septicaemia.
The bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- sneezing
- coughing
- kissing
One in every ten of those who contract bacterial meningitis will die as a result, and one in every four survivors of meningitis will be left with severe after-effects. The early symptoms may be confused with those of the flu, a stomach bug or a hangover. They can include:
- fever
- cold hands and feet
- drowsiness
- difficulty in waking
- severe muscle pain
- severe headache
- dislike of bright lights
- vomiting
- confusion
- irritability
- pale, blotchy skin
- spots/rash
- stiff neck
- convulsions/seizures
I recently met with Mary Garley, who told me about her own experience with meningitis;
‘I’m a volunteer ambassador for Meningitis Now and have been since my granddaughter Maisie contracted Bacterial Meningitis seventeen years ago, when she was eight months old.
On 15th October 2008, Maisie woke up with a temperature and was irritable, which was unlike her. Hannah, my daughter, and Paul, my son in law, phoned 999, and were advised to take her to the hospital straightaway. They did this, but were sent home again just after midday, being told that Maisie just had a virus and to give her Calpol.
At 4pm they again called an ambulance as Maisie was becoming very lethargic. Three paramedics arrived to take her to a different hospital, stopping en route to give her antibiotics.
At the hospital she was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis and put on various drips. By this time both sets of grandparents and Paul’s sister were there, with Hannah’s brother waiting on the end of the phone.
Later that evening Maisie had to again be transferred, this time to Great Ormond Street Hospital, this time by a CATS (Children’s Acute Transport Service) ambulance. Her parents went with her, and the rest of us went home.
We all reconvened the following morning at GOSH, where the doctors fought for her as hard as they could, but Maisie passed away at 10.30am. Her little heart could take no more. She was gone in just 24 hours.
My reason for volunteering is to make people aware of this devastating disease, which can affect any age group, whether you are eight months old or eighty years old. It does not only affect babies, children and teenagers and can result in limb loss, hearing loss, Acquired Brain Injury, emotional distress and death. I have known a fifty-year-old man lose both legs and an arm, and a woman in her sixties lose all the fingers on both hands.
You have most probably heard of the rash and glass test in relation to meningitis, but not everyone will get a rash, also there are other symptoms which can appear first; Maisie did not develop the rash until her last few hours, so it is important to be aware of all the symptoms.
Meningitis Now produce a symptoms card and other helpful information, so if you would like to learn more, please visit their website at www.MeningitisNow.org‘
If you would like to speak to a member of the Healthwatch Essex Information & Guidance Service about any health, care and wellbeing matters, or those of someone you care for, please call us on 0300 500 1895 or email [email protected].
Mary has shared her family’s experience on our Hidden Voices podcast – listen here.
Sharon Westfield de Cortez
Information & Guidance Manager