World Meningitis Day:
Today is World Meningitis Day. If you do just one thing today – learn the symptoms of Meningitis to protect you and your loved ones and SHARE!
Remember – 24hours can mean the difference between life and death for anyone of any age.
Ireland has the highest prevalence of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in Europe. Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours. Survivors can be left with severe after effects including multiple amputations, brain damage and deafness. Although the diseases can affect anyone of any age, babies, young children and young adults are most at risk.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain. It can be caused by several different organisms. Some are bacteria and some are viruses.
Bacterial Meningitis is uncommon but can be very serious and requires urgent medical attention and treatment with antibiotics. Viral Meningitis is less serious and cannot be helped by antibiotic treatment. The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis are similar so hospital tests may be needed to tell the difference.
Further information can be found here.