By John Madden
Meningitis affects, on average, 200 people in Ireland each year and can lead to further complications, which are, sadly, in some cases…death. In recent years an increased risk of meningitis among Irish Travellers was identified by the Department of Public Health, so knowing the symptoms is vital as early recognition and treatment helps to save lives.
Ensuring children receive all their relevant vaccinations in the Primary Immunisation Schedule is also of the utmost importance. Many readers may remember that meningitis once again made headlines in the news after the death of a 22-year-old woman in Limerick in early February. Like so many diseases and illnesses, it is vital that we all have an awareness of what to look out for, and what we need to do if we ever suspect it in ourselves, loved ones, friends and family. To try to get a deeper understanding of the issue, we spoke to Caroline Krieger of the Meningitis Research Foundation.
What has led to the increased risk of meningitis amongst Travellers?
“It is often down to people living in close quarters and in smaller spaces, for instance, mobile homes. We see a significant increase in the winter time because people are indoors, and are in closer contact.”
Does that mean that meningitis is contagious?
“What is important to note is that we all carry the bacteria at the back of our nose and throat at different stages of our life. Most of us won’t even realise that it is there, neither will it make us all ill. It’s a small number of people that it will escalate in. At the moment there is no way of telling why it affects some people, where others might be in the same place, environment, home or wherever and don’t contract it at all. So it’s not necessarily contagious but it can easily spread like a virus depending on the person.“
If meningitis is untreated, what can happen?
“The worst case scenario can result in death. One in ten people who contract the illness actually die, and those who survive, about one in three will be left with a form of disability. There are other ‘after-effects’ that can happen in cases that aren’t caught early, for example; brain damage or cerebral palsy. With septicaemia (another form of meningitis), there is a danger of losing limbs due to necessary amputations. Sadly, there are a number of extra complications that can accompany meningitis.”
What do parents/caregivers need to be aware of?
“It is vital that parents and caregivers of children, in particular, be aware of the disease. Young children are the most ‘at risk’ group. The problem with meningitis and septicaemia is that their symptoms are often identical to more common everyday illnesses, such as the flu. At the beginning, the symptoms can range from; fever, vomiting, painful limbs, neck pain and the person may appear somewhat ‘vacant.’ One thing to note is that the illness can come on very fast. If you think of somebody with a cold or flu, it may come on over a number of days, but meningitis is different as it is much faster, more accelerated, and can come on over a period of hours. Essentially somebody could go from the picture of health to seriously ill in a very short space of time.”
Are there any other physical signs?
“A lot of people associate a rash with meningitis, but it is vital for the readers to know that the rash does not always appear. It can depend on the type of meningitis, and even at that, the rash might only appear in the late stages of the disease. So if there’s a concern, but no rash, it certainly does not rule out the possibility of meningitis.”
What precautions can readers take to avoid or prevent meningitis?
“The best protections available are the vaccines that are available. These are available through your GPs and Health Centres. It may be the best way to try protect against meningitis but unfortunately, there is, as yet, no sure –fire way of them being 100 per cent effective. So other than the vaccines, it is crucial to be aware of what the signs and symptoms are, no matter what age you are.“
A huge thank you to Caroline from the Meningitis Research Foundation for answering these crucially important questions. If you have any further queries or concerns around the issue, please use the helpline number 1800 413344, or alternatively, check out their website www.msf.ie.
Another useful website is www.hse.ie or chat with your family doctor or Primary Health Care Worker when he/she visits.
