Archive - Thursday, 14 January 1999


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MENINGITIS - WHAT TO LOOK FOR

SPOTTING the signs of meningitis could save a life.

Symptoms develop very quickly so if you suspect your child is a victim, seek prompt medical help.

Widnes mother Olga Wilde of the Meningitis Merseyside Support Group, has been offering advice to hundreds of parents.

"The best way to fight the disease is to know what the symptoms are," said Olga whose teenage daughter contracted the disease when she was a teenager.

"It is very hard for GPs with so much flu going about. The early symptoms - aches, pains, headaches and vomiting are similar to flu. But meningitis is quite rapid in progress.

"Victims will suffer from a fever, a really bad headache, drowsiness, vomiting, stiff neck - unable to touch their chin or chest, even become delirious and confused. They will also develop a dislike of bright lights or the TV screen."

If there is septicaemia (blood poisoning) as well, there will also be extra things like a rash, gasping and panting and cold hands and feet.

A tumbler test is a quick way of detecting septicaemia - press the side of a tumbler firmly against the rash. An ordinary rash will fade. If the spots do not turn white when pressed, call a doctor immediately and tell him you suspect septicaemia.

Olga has been manning an awareness bus at Asda, Runcorn, distributing leaflets to parents.

Useful telephone numbers: Meningitis Merseyside Support Group O151-424 4402; National Meningitis Trust 24-hour free helpline 0808 800 3344; Healthwise freephone 0800 665544.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the coverings of the brain.

It can be caused by bacteria, which is serious and can be treated with antibiotics, or a virus which is usually less serious.

The bacteria is spread by kssing and close contact with secretions from the mouth and nose of an infected person.

A new vaccine could wipe out meningitis in the future, health experts revealed this week.

The jab is currently being tested and could be routinely available by the year 2000.

It is effective against the increasingly common C strain - which causes between 30 and 40 per cent of meningococcal infection. As yet, there is no vaccine against the most common strain of the meningococcal germ - strain B.

ADVISING parents: Olga Wilde of the Meningitis Merseyside Support Group offers advice and information

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