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Vital meningitis information for local families - Meningitis Awareness Week 17 - 23 September
13 September 2007
Meningitis Research Foundation is working to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia in order to save lives through its B Aware campaign.
Last year in the UK there were more than 3,000 cases of meningitis and septicaemia. Tragically this resulted in the deaths of some 230 babies, children and adults and left many more with after effects, some as serious as brain damage, deafness and amputations. Most of these cases were caused by Group B disease.
Although there are vaccines which provide excellent protection against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, there is no vaccine to protect against Group B disease. It is therefore important to B Aware of the symptoms.
Meningitis Research Foundation Chief Executive Denise Vaughan commented: "Meningitis and septicaemia are devastating diseases which within just a few hours can leave a baby, child or adult fighting for their life. Knowing the symptoms and acting fast will save lives."
Remember meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours - contact the Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - for a free B Aware symptoms pack.
Media Contact:
Julia Warren, Meningitis Research Foundation - 01454 281811 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor:
- B Aware of meningitis and septicaemia. Call Meningitis Research Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - for a free B Aware information pack.
- Meningitis and septicaemia are the most common infectious cause of death in children in the UK.
- Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on this website in 22 languages. An interpretation service is available in 120 languages through the 24 hour helpline.
- Meningitis Research Foundation currently funds 18 research projects. Since it was founded in 1989, the charity has awarded 118 research grants, leading to many advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.
- Meningitis Research Foundation relies on public support to fund its vital work.
Symptoms of meningitis:
Severe headache; Stiff neck*; Dislike of bright lights*; Fever/vomiting; Drowsy and less responsive/vacant; Rash; Seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*unusual in young children)
Symptoms of septicaemia:
(This form of the illness often starts with non-specific flu-like symptoms):
Rash; fever/vomiting; cold hands and feet/shivering; limb/joint/muscle pain; abdominal pain (sometimes with diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; rapid or unusual breathing, drowsy and less responsive/vacant.
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue; refusing to feed; be irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.