Meningitis

What is Meningitis

• Means inflammation of the meninges, the brain lining

• Caused be several different bacteria and viruses• Bacterial meningitis is quite rare - very serious

and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics• There are about 2000 reported cases each year

in the UK• There are two forms

• Meningococcal

• Pneumococcal

How Serious is it?

• If treated early most people make a full recovery• In some cases it can be fatal or lead to

permanent handicaps like deafness and brain damage

Viral Meningitis

• This is more common than bacterial

• Rarely life threatening, it can severely weaken a person

• It cannot be helped by antibiotics and treatments is based on good nursing care

• Recovery is normally complete but headaches, tiredness and depression may persist

How is Bacterial Meningitis Spread?

• The germs are very common and live in the back of the nose and throat

• It is only rarely that they overcome the body's defences and cause meningitis

• Spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing, but they cannot livelong outside the body and cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, building or factories

What is Septicaemia?

• Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) as well as meningitis

• Septicaemia can develop quickly• A rash appears under the skin• If untreated they get bigger and become multiple

areas of obvious bleeding under the skin• The rash must be taken seriously - a doctor

should be called immediately

How is Meningitis Treated?

• Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis

• They are also prescribed for the immediate family members or any others who are in very close contact

• Antibiotics are not used for viral meningitis