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CHURCH AT KIRKBURN
What causes viral meningitis?
Most of the viruses that cause meningitis live in the intestines and tend to be passed on as a result of poor hygiene. Many different viruses can cause viral meningitis, most commonly adenoviruses that normally live harmlessly in people's bowels. Mumps and measles viruses and herpes viruses can also cause the illness. However, many people exposed to such viruses do not go on to develop viral meningitis.
What are the symptoms and after effects?
The symptoms for viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis are very similar, but are usually milder with viral meningitis. However, in the early stages of the illness it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, so it is always best to seek medical advice in case urgent treatment is needed.
In a small number of cases, people who have suffered from viral meningitis may experience after effects such as recurring headaches, exhaustion, deafness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), memory loss, lack of co-ordination or confusion.
How can I protect myself and my family?
A good precaution to take to avoid catching viral meningitis is to always wash your hands thoroughly.
The most important thing to remember is to FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS AND ACT FAST. If you think something is wrong, GO IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR NEAREST GP OR A & E.
Bacterial meningitis can be life threatening and requires URGENT medical treatment.
Someone suffering from bacterial meningitis needs to be treated with antibiotics immediately. The sooner effective treatment is given, the more likely a person is to make a full recovery.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis.
Classic symptoms are a headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright light. Other symptoms can include difficulty supporting own weight, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and confusion and drowsiness.
The symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis are the same as meningococcal meningitis.
Meningococcal septicaemia
Common symptoms include aching limbs (particularly leg pain), cold hands and feet and a rash which starts like pin prick spots and develops rapidly into purple bruising.
What causes bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis and septicaemia can be caused by different types of bacteria. The most common are meningococcal and pneumococcal.
Meningococcal
Meningococcal infection is caused by meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis) which cause two distinct forms of disease - meningococcal meningitis (infection of the meninges/spinal cord) and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning). They may occur separately or together. Of the two forms, meningococcal septicaemia is the most dangerous.
Meningococcal bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Approximately 5% of people who suffer from meningococcal meningitis will die.
Meningococcal septicaemia occurs when meningococcal bacteria enter the blood stream and multiply uncontrollably, poisoning the blood and completely overwhelming the immune system damaging the blood vessels, tissues and organs.
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www.churchatkirkburn.org,uk page 119 meningitis march 2009 29/11/10