Proudly Brought to you by Reach O utt at Engage@Central For The Amanda Young Foundation

1. Amanda Young Awareness Day Proudly Brought to you by Reach Outt at Engage@Central For The Amanda Young Foundation

2. Amanda Louise Young 6th of September 1979 - 12th of October 1997 Some people enter our lives and stay a while Others come, we blink and are gone But they leave their signatures on our hearts And we are never the same again. Courtesy Adrian Monger

3. The Foundation was formed by Amanda’s parents Barry and Lorraine Young in 1998 following her tragic death from meningococcal septicaemia at the tender age of 18 years. • The Amanda Young Foundation is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to reducing deaths in WA from meningococcal disease, and supporting survivors of the disease. • The Foundation is also committed to supporting the development of young people into WA’s future leaders Support, awareness and reducing deaths in WA from meningococcal disease. Barry and Lorraine Young, founders of The Amanda Young Foundation. Photograph taken in ‘Amanda’s Memorial Garden’

4. Helping Our Community Funding Research Providing funding for relevant medical research and encouraging increased research into meningococcal disease; Fundraising Events Main annual events include the Amanda Young Foundation Charity Ball held in May each year, the Open Garden at Romancing the Stone garden in Maida Vale, and Amanda’s Garden Fete, a weekend event in October each year. Young Leaders Summit Organising an annual camp for year 11 school students across the state to support and encourage the development of leadership skills Meningococcal Awareness and Education Increasing awareness and educating the community and medical profession regarding meningococcal disease;

5. MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

6. What is MENINGOCOCAL DISEASE?

7. What is MENINGOCOCAL DISEASE? This disease can appear in several different forms Meningitis (bacterial form) Septicemia (blood poisoning) or as a combination of both. 10% of those infected will DIE. 20% will have permanent DISABILITIES.

8. WHO’S @ RISK?

9. WHO’S @ RISK? Meningococcal disease can strike both children and adults anywhere, at any time. But those most at risk are:

10. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

11. Symptoms in infants and young children Fever Refusing to take feeds Irritability, fretfulness Grunting or moaning Extreme tiredness or floppiness Dislike of being handled Nausea and/or vomiting Diarrhoea Turning away from light (photophobia) Drowsiness Convulsions or twitching Rash of red–purple pinprick spots or larger bruises.

12. Symptoms in older children and adults Fever Headache Loss of appetite Neck stiffness Discomfort when looking at bright lights (photophobia) Nausea and/or vomiting Diarrhoea Aching or sore muscles Painful or swollen joints Difficulty walking General malaise Moaning, unintelligible speech Drowsiness Confusion Collapse Rash of red–purple pinprick spots or larger bruises.

13. CATCHING THE DISEASE

14. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria, NOT by a virus. It is transmitted via saliva Meningococcal bacteria can live harmlessly in our throat and nose Around 20% percent of people will be carrying these bacteria at any one time without ever becoming ill. In fact, all of us will carry them at some stage in our lives

15. High risk environments: • Day care • Nightclubs • School camps • Parties • Etc • Spreading of bacteria by: • Sneezing • Intimate kissing • Coughing • Sharing food or drinks

16. THE DEADLY RASH A distinctive appearance of a rash is often the FINAL DEADLIEST symptoms of septicaema.

17. What causes the rash? The bacteria leak poisons which damage the walls of the blood vessels, so the blood leaks into the skin – causing the rash. It can start off either as a pink rash, or as tiny red or purple blood spots, like pinpricks, anywhere on the body – which rapidly spread into purple blotches or bruises. The victim can literally bleed to death if not treated in time.

18. Image 1: The rash has many stages and forms Image 2: The bacteria leak poisons which damage the walls of the blood vessels, so the blood leaks into the skin – causing the rash. Image 3: It may start off anywhere on the body – as a faint pink rash, a red spot or blister, or as tiny red or purple pinpricks.

19. The ‘Glass Test’ • Some doctors and Foundations refer to the ‘drinking glass’ or ‘pressure' test. • Pressing a clear tumbler firmly against the rash, to see if it fades under pressure (like a harmless rash does), or stays red, indicating a septicemic rash. • The concern with this test is that it is NOT100% reliable, especially in the early stages, and can give you a false sense of security. • You need to keep testing at regular intervals. • However if a rash appears, along with other symptoms, it's wise not to wait around trying to diagnose it yourself, but go straight to a doctor or hospital. Image 4: The glass test

20. THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS

21. While the majority of sufferers will make a full recovery from meningococcal disease, around 5 percent will die and another 20 percent will suffer long-term consequences, such as: headaches tiredness memory loss concentration problems disruptive behaviour mood swings sight problems deafness learning difficulties epilepsy chronic fatigue syndrome liver or kidney failure paralysis skin scarring due to skin grafts amputated limbs, fingers or toes

22. ACTIONS & PREVENTIONS

23. Taking actions Be AWARE of the symptoms Be ALERT to recognise the signs Be ASSERTIVE in seeking urgent medical treatment MONITOR the patient closely Treat the rash as EMERGENCY

24. Preventions Don’t share:  Food, dips, ice-creams Drinks, bottles, straws Lipstick or lip gloss Toothbrushes Cigarettes Mouth guards Musical instruments with mouth pieces Also: Don't suck the end of a shared pen or pencil Don't suck baby's dummy before putting it in baby's mouth watch out for toddlers sucking and sharing toys Don't use anyone else's lip gloss or lipstick

25. Vaccination The predominant strains of meningococcal bacteria differ from country to country, and even from region to region. Although there are NOvaccines available for all strains of the disease, there is a vaccine for C-strain. Having this vaccine means you will at least be PARTIALLYprotected against meningococcal disease. Travel vaccineThere is a travel vaccine which gives SHORT TERM protection against some of the strains more common in other countries. Check with your doctor. WarningRemember, while vaccination will give you long term protection against the deadly C-strain, it WILL NOT protect you from catching another strain with the same symptoms, which can also cause death. So it's still important to be vigilant, and to take other precautions.

26. Data taken from The Meningococcal site, http://www.meningococcalaustralia.org.au/the_disease.html

27. References: The Better Health Channel, Meningococcal Disease, Retrieved: 15 November 2011, from http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/meningococcal/fact_sheet.htm The Meningacoccal Education, Retrived: 15 November 2011 from http://www.meningococcal.org/the_disease.html Department of Health New York, Meningococcal Disease, July 2011, Retrieved: 15 November 2011 from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Meningococcal_disease The Meningacoccal, Australia be aware, Retrieved from: 15 November 2011 from http://www.meningococcalaustralia.org.au/the_disease.html Meningococcal Australia Inc., 2003, Retrieved from: 15 November 2011 from http://www.meningococcal-australia.org.au/main/symptoms.html References for images: Image 1: http://www.meningococcal.org/images/page_images/513.jpg Image 2: http://www.meningococcal.org/images/page_images/522.jpg Image 3: http://www.meningococcal.org/images/page_images/512.jpg Image 4: The glass test, http://www.meningococcalaustralia.org.au/img/disease-glass-test01.jpg