Text to save lives from meningitis this Christmas
19 December 2009
National charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) is urging people to be on their guard against meningitis and septicaemia over the holiday season.
The highest number of cases of the diseases is usually recorded around Christmas and New Year, but lives can be saved by knowing the symptoms.
Early recognition and treatment provide the best chances of recovery from these diseases which kill over 300 people every year in the UK and leave thousands of others with disabilities as severe as amputations, deafness and brain damage.
Symptoms can be easily obtained from MRF as a mobile message which can be stored permanently on your phone, giving easy access anytime to potentially life-saving information.
MRF Chief Executive Christopher Head commented: "Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours. Time is critical when dealing with these diseases. Saving the symptoms to your phone will put life-saving information at your fingertips when you may need it most."
To receive symptoms by SMS, text MRF to 82088. This text will be a standard rate text. MRF will not charge you for the video but data charges from your operator will apply.
Find out more about the SMS service.
Free symptoms information can also be obtained by calling Meningitis Research Foundation's
Freefone 24 hour helpline -
080 8800 3344
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.
- 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.
- Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on this website in 22 languages. An interpretation service in 150 languages is available through the 24-hour helpline.
- The Foundation offers support for those affected by meningitis and septicaemia. Trained helpline staff are available 365 days a year. A befriender service links people with experience of meningitis and septicaemia to share their experiences.
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.