Meningitis is an alarming condition, which sadly kills 300 people in the UK - 10% of those affected by bacterial meningitis (half of which occur in children under 5). It's also in the top 10 killers of children in the Philippines.The problem is that it's very hard to diagnose in the early stages. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, and a rash that does not fade when pressure is applied. Every parent should be aware - read more in www.meningitis-trust.orgOriginally Posted by gparry2007
Vaccines are the only way to prevent it, and here we have the NHS childhood immunisation programme (for Haemophilus influenzae type B, Meningococcus group C, and Pneumococcus ...but not yet for the commonest cause which is Meningococcus group B). Immunisation is not generally recommended for adults either in UK or to my knowledge the Philippines. Diagnosis requires examination of fluid obtained by lumbar puncture, and prompt antibiotic treatment may be given before the precise diagnosis is available.
The commonest type of meningitis is viral, with similar symptoms and no specific treatment, but from which most people fully recover.
