Public unaware of meningitis after effects - Meningitis Awareness Week (16-22 September)

Most people don’t know about the impact of meningitis to people, says a charity report during Meningitis Awareness Week (16-22 September).

A new report from the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) finds although many know that meningitis can kill, the majority don’t know that meningitis can leave people with severe and lifelong health consequences.

The report comes as vaccine coverage in babies under one year old has declined.

The charity’s report contained new survey results, commissioned for Meningitis Awareness Week 2019.  The survey found only a minority of the UK population know about most of the long term possible consequences of meningitis.  

Most of the 2000 people surveyed (90%) did not know deafness was a common after effect of meningitis, despite it being a leading cause of acquired hearing loss. Most people (87%) also under-estimated or didn’t know how many people were left with severe impairments as a result of bacterial meningitis.

During Meningitis Awareness Week, MRF are campaigning to improve support for people affected by the disease and highlighting how effective aftercare can transform lives following meningitis.  MRF are encouraging people affected by meningitis to share what worked for them, and how support could be improved.  People affected are also speaking to the World Health Organisation and experts from around the world to create the first ever global plan to improve meningitis outcomes.

CEO of MRF, Vinny Smith said: “While many are aware that meningitis costs lives,  fewer people know about the damage the disease can do to people’s long term health and their future. The cost to people can be immense, and sadly some never fully recover, so the right support is essential.”

“MRF is here for everyone affected by meningitis.  We’re calling for ongoing support from specialist care services, and although we know some people receive excellent post-meningitis care, we want that help to be available to all. We know how important effective aftercare is to quality of life, that’s why MRF offers free support services. Those who contact our support team tell us it is vital for their recovery and helps them feel less isolated.”

“We are also working with the World Health Organization and partners on the first ever global roadmap to defeat the disease, and improve support for people who have been affected.”

MRF also asked supporters about their views on the specialist aftercare they had received.  Out of 184 individuals who responded, 64% felt dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with assessment for long-term effects of meningitis; 61% felt dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with information they were given on long term effects of meningitis and 68% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied about their post-discharge recovery review.