Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is blood poisoning, which can result from the infection. It can kill in hours

Viral meningitis is the mild form of the disease. Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous. Most cases are caused by meningococcal bacteria, which most often causes septicaemia

                                                                                                                                 

Patients may be left with a range of after- effects that dramatically alter their lives; they lose limbs, become brain damaged or their senses may be affected

                                                                                                                                    

in the developing countries the cases are very much higher. Around 2,000 cases are reported every year in the UK. The bacteria are very common-about one in 10’ of us has them in our nose or throat all the time. For most of us they are harmless

                                                                                                                                              

People get the disease when the bacteria overcome the body’s immune defenses and pass into the bloodstream, causing meningitis or septicaemia or both. Babies and the young are at higher risk, because their immune systems are immature

 

These resemble many other illnesses the first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting and headache. There may be muscle or joint pain, sometimes stomach cramps and diarrhea. The patient may be very sleepy, and may become confused or delirious. They may have a stiff neck, dislike bright lights and have a rash. If there is a rash, do the tumbler test. If the rash doesn’t fade, get medical help immediately

                                                     

The menC vaccine introduced in 1999/2000 has drastically reduced the number of cases of group C meningococcal disease.