Today, this social media project is 4 years old. I’d love to do a little reflective piece about the 4 years. But something much more important for today:
On #WorldMeningitisDay HPSC Ireland announces 3 confirmed and 1 probable case of #meningicoccal #meningitis. 2 of the patients have died.
This is a vaccine preventable illness. #VaccinesSaveLives
The full report is available on HPSC website.
1. Know the signs of meningitis. Learn more at ACT for Meningitis or HSE website.
2. Do NOT wait for a rash. Early diagnosis is so important!
3. Contact your GP or local hospital if any concerns.
4. Make sure both both Men B and ACWY vaccines are up-to-date in your family.
5. Get information from trust sources #FactsNotFears
While the commonest age group for Men B is under one year of age, the SECOND most common age group is 15 – 19 year olds. Infection rates are highest in winter.
If you just thought: “Wait, my born-before-2016 child never got Men B vaccine…” You’re not alone. Men B vaccine is available to children born AFTER 2016. For those born before 2016 only if their parents can afford it. I have advocated for a catch-up programe to be made available to families who can’t afford it before, most recently: https://bit.ly/emdocMenB
Meningitis is a serious illness involving inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a variety of different germs, mainly bacterial and viruses. Bacterial meningitis, such as in these cases, is less common but more serious and requires urgent treatment with antibiotics. Bacterial meningitis may be accompanied by septicaemia (blood poisoning). The bacteria live naturally in the nose and throat of normal healthy persons without causing illness. The spread of the bacteria is caused by droplets from the nose and mouth. The illness occurs most frequently in young children and adolescents, usually as isolated cases. Bacterial meningitis or septicaemia requires urgent antibiotic treatment.
Meningococcal disease is a very serious life threatening illness.
1 in 20 will die; 1 in 10 people who recover will have a major disability such as deafness, brain damage or loss of fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms or legs.
0 Comments