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What is Meningitis? Means inflammation of the meninges, the brain lining

What is Meningitis? Means inflammation of the meninges, the brain lining Caused be several different bacteria and viruses Bacterial meningitis is quite rare – very serious and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics There are about 2000 reported cases each year in the UK

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What is Meningitis? Means inflammation of the meninges, the brain lining

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  1. What is Meningitis? Means inflammation of the meninges, the brain lining Caused be several different bacteria and viruses Bacterial meningitis is quite rare – very serious and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics There are about 2000 reported cases each year in the UK There are two forms Meningococcal Pneumococcal

  2. How Serious is it? • In some cases it can be fatal or lead to permanent handicaps like deafness and brain damage • It treated early most people make a full recovery

  3. Viral Meningitis • This is more common than bacterial • Rarely life threatening, it can severely weaken a person • It cannot be helped by antibiotics and treatments and it is based on good nursing care • Recovery is normally completed but headaches, tiredness and depression may persist

  4. How is Bacterial Meningitis Spread? • The germs are very common live in the back of the nose and throat • It is only rarely that they overcome the body’s defences and cause meningitis • Spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing, but they cannot livelong outside the body and cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, building or factories

  5. What is Septicaemia? • Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) as well as meningitis • Septicaemia can develop quickly • A rash appears under the skin • If untreated they get bigger and become multiple areas of obvious bleeding under the skin • The rash must be taken seriously – a doctor should be called immediately

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