New vital meningitis resource for nurses
21 November 2009
Meningitis Research Foundation has launched a new UK edition of its booklet for nurses working in the community,
Vital signs, Vital issues.
Endorsed by the Royal College of Nurses,
Vital signs, Vital issues helps with early recognition of meningitis and septicaemia, informs about vaccines and provides community practitioners with critical information about vaccine safety.
The new fourth edition includes a revised and expanded question and answer section on vaccine safety which exposes the fallacy of the immune overload myth and explains why vaccines do not cause allergies,. It also incluides new information on the impact of pneumococcal vaccine and modifications to vaccination recommendations.
Chris Head, MRF Chief Executive, commented: "Each year we estimate there are 3,600 cases of meningitis and septicaemia, about one in ten of those people who contract meningitis or septicaemia will die and many more will survive with life-altering after effects which can be as severe as deafness, brain damage and amputations. By providing this information to nurses who work in the community we hope that lives will be saved."
Vital signs, Vital issues can be
ordered or
downloaded free of charge.
Vital signs, Vital issues also forms part of an annual mailing to GP surgeries in the UK as part of MRF's Meningitis Awareness Week in September.
Media Contact: Harpinder Collacott 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor:
- Meningitis Research Foundation is currently funding 24 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia. The Foundation has spent £15.6 million on research since its inception in 1989 on 128 research projects.
- Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.
Symptoms of meningitis:
Fever; vomiting; severe headache; rash (not present in all cases); stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)
Symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease):
Fever; vomiting; limb/joint/muscle pain (sometimes stomach pain/diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; cold hands and feet; shivering; breathing fast/breathless; rash (anywhere on the body); very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious.
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.