Questions Nov 2009
You can find the full set of questions and answers relating to our 'Meningitis - its causes and treatment' Ask the Expert session in November 2009 below.
Please note: The views expressed by participants in this forum are not necessarily those of Meningitis UK and do not constitute legal or medical advice.
Name/Location: julie west, Essex
Question:
my son contracted pneumococcal meningitis at 10 weeks old, one week after his vacination (prevanar) against it. Some medical staff have suggested that this is connected. We are really confused by all of this as we dont understand how he caught it or if its true that there is a live bacteria in this vacination ?
Therefore my question is - did he catch menigitis from the vacination ?
Name/Location: Claire Lovell, UK
Question:
My dad had meningitis and was made deaf from it. I dont understand how he woke up from his coma with hearing then suddenly its gone ??? Id love to know the answer ,i dont really know much abour it or what happened but im confused x
Name/Location: Gemma Crawford, Londonderry
Question:
I would like to know the rash develops in Meningococcal septicamia?
How does the body develop cold hands and feet?
Why is there a change in the skin colour?
Why does the body develop aching limbs?
I would like to know the medical reasons for my health and social care course work?
Name/Location: S McGuire, Lancashire
Question:
Can you please tell me the incubation period, after contact with an infected person for meningococcal meningitis?
Many thanks
Name/Location: John Pye, Northumberland
Question:
I am a 54 year old male who contacted Pneumococcal Meningitis for the first time a couple of months ago. Following my recovery,my eyesight has deteriorated but this has been put down to the ageing process. However,I have a recurring ear problem which as left me partially daf in one ear and I'm currently receiving intra-auricular Betnosol therapy from an ENT Registrar. Having a nursing background myself, I am concerned at the fact that my HCP's are not fully explaining the physiology of my "current" condition despite my attempts to ascertain this, together with them not making clear the question as to whether I am at a high risk of contacting meningitis again, as I am extremely concerned that the left side of my head feels somewhat "heavy"...this may sound strange, but it's just how I feel.I understand however, that I may be hypersensitive given the trauma of my previous episode. Any comment or advice would be gratefully appreciated. Thankyou. John
Name/Location: Sarah C, Cornwall
Question:
My 20 year old daughter had bacterial meningitis in her first term at university in late November last year. Initially it was felt she recovered well and she returned to uni after Christmas. It soon became apparent however, that she was experiencing some difficulties with numeracy, literacy, concentration, exhaustion and increased emotionality, coupled with some balance concerns. After a neurologist's advice she suspended her studies in April for rest. She has had tests and treatment with a neuropsychologist who said these difficulties would not be permanent and is now back at university and is coping with some support.
She has always been very fit and is back to running and surfing, as she was before the illness. She would like to do a charity trek through the Himalayas to Everest base camp in the summer with an adventure travel charity/company. My concern is the implications of altitude sickness particularly high altitude cerebral edema. The trip from landing to return flight home is only two weeks! I think there will be a couple of rest days acclimatisation on route.
I do know there are no tests to predict who is susceptible to altitude sickness but in your opinion would she have an increased risk of HACE due to meningitis and if she did get it would this be much worse for someone post meningitis? Could this give her more brain damage for example?
I don't have any concerns regarding her fitness and this would be an amazing opportunity for her, but would it be better to leave it for a couple of years maybe? Her neuropsychologist has told her she should be back to how she was pre meningitis by then. I do know she is very keen to put meningitis behind her which I feel is the right attitude and we are very proud of all she has achieved and how she has coped over the past year, but wouldn't want her to jeopardize all she has achieved so far.
I know this may be a specialised question but I would be grateful of any advice. Many thanks
Name/Location: Tracey, Mid Glamorgan
Question:
Before my son caught meningoccocal meningitis and septicaemia I was totally unaware that by simply sharing a straw or a drink with each other could actually be the cause in developing this terrible (life threatening) illness. My question is..why isnt there enough publicity on this and that we should NEVER share food or drink ever. Thank you.
Name/Location: Ellie Smart, West Yorkshire
Question:
Is there or has there been any research into a link between meningitis and brain heamorrages after recovery, resulting in death? If there has i would be interested in reading the findings and if not why isnt anybody looking into this? I have found out it is more common than i thought. My son recovered from pneunococcal meningitis (although with some disabilities) in 2006 aged 2 and without warning passed away dec 2008 aged 5, the coroner put the cause of death down to a brain hemorrage directly linked to the meningitis he had contracted three years previously, since this has happened i have found four other people who this has happened to. The hospital pathologist said it couldnt have been prevented, even though he saw a specialist every 3 months and numourous other doctors and rehabilitation specialists. Thankyou i look forward to your response.
Name/Location: Rachel, yorkshire
Question:
Our son passed away from pneumococcal meningitis feb this year, he had NO symptoms apart from being a bit sick, we asked lots of different experts why were there no symptoms and no one seems to be able to answer our questions. He did have a tooth absess two days before which had been drained but was not given any antibiotics, even the A&E staff did not know it was meningitis until the PM report he was sat watching tv, went up to bed and quietly passed away within 2 hrs.
Name/Location: sumeera, saudi arabia
Question:
I got TB meningitis last year n was coma almost 1 months. now m better n still under treatment.i just ant to know is it possible for me to get a second attack?? n do u think i can complitely normal after finish my treatment. tks
Name/Location: Hannah Raines, England
Question:
Hi
in 2007 aged 22 i contracted Group B Streptococcus Meningitis. since then i seem to catch every bug going (especially strep throat!!). Ive had to have an occupational health assessment at work due to this but the Doctor there says there is no link. pre-meningitis i was a really healthy person up until a month before when i caught a chest infection followed by strep throat and then finally an ear infection which paved the way for the meningitis.
can the immune system be permanently weakened by meningitis or am i making a link where there is none?
Also i sometime get severe headaches that are similar to the headache i had the day i was diagnosed - again this is always attributed to stress or tiredness or "just a headache" nothing shows on a head CT but other sufferers of meningitis ive spoken to complain of such headaches. i certainly never had them like that before - is this usual even so long after having the illness?
thanks
Name/Location: Kelly ward, North Lincolnshire
Question:
I contracted bac men in jan 09 and have been left with migraine aura and severe tiredness. Does anybody konw how long the after effects last for please? I only had a sore throat! Before getting ill i worked full time and cared for my disabled son now i find it hard to to function and im not allowed my driving licence because of my meds.
sympathy to all who have lost loved ones may you find the answers you need x
Name/Location: Emma Mackay, Fife
Question:
I am 32 and was in hospital with pneumococcal meningitis in September. I spent nearly 2 weeks in hospital(4 days in ICU 2 of which I was on a ventilator) and was then discharged with 2 weeks of oral antibiotics...Since leaving hospital I have been very tired(I have a 3 year old and 16 week old baby) I still have very bad headaches and my memory has been affected. I find that I can be going to do something and then forgetting what it is, or putting something on the hob on the cooker and then forgetting that it is on. Also when i am talking to people I sometimes can't find the words I am looking for.
I have spoken to my GP but he had no answers that he could give me all he said was is that he is not surprised after all I had been through as I had been very seriously ill. I am beginning to feel very isolated and frustrated, at no point during my time in hospital did anyone talk to me about meningitis and it's effects. I thought that I would have a follow up at hospital but I have heard nothing, I really want to know if my memory will get better and when will the headaches stop(my doctor has told me to take paracetimol which don't help)...Is there meant to be some kind or aftercare?
Name/Location: Anne, Tyne & Wear
Question:
I had meingococcal septicaemia in October 2002 whilst on holiday in Rome, which was more traumatic as I speak no Italian. I empathise with those who have memory and concentration problems following meningitis, as I still have this 7 years on. Is this a recognised long term effect of meningitis & do you have advice on coping mechanisms? and can the Trust put peope with similar issues in touch - I note one lady asking a question feels very isolated and struggles to find the right words. I was just like this but its not so bad now. Thanks
Name/Location: Tracy Walker, London
Question:
I am now 43, and was adopted soon after birth, the main reason having been given that my father had died whilst my mother was pregnant with me. He was only 18 and had died suddenly of meningitis.
In 2003 my then 3 year old daughter contracted the Haemophilus Influenzae type b meningitis. She seemed to make a full recovery in hospital terms but has certainly in the last 3 years been suffering from frequent headaches. The crainiopath suggested that she could detect scar tissue between the platelets in her skull. Is this a possibility? Recently she has been given tinted glasses by a specalist Optrometist which so far seems to be helping.
In the last 4 years I have been suffering from headaches myself too and even though only once a year it gets so bad that I am incapacitated, I am in bed for 4-5 days.My doctor has offered me mygraine tablets.
My question is....Is there any evidence to suggest that there is a genetic link to sufferers or are some people just more susceptable? Also along the line of someone else's question, is there a greater probability that me daughter will catch the disease again compared to another child?
Lastly I would just like to add that my daughter had been ill for a couple of days and had no symptoms that I could recognise as being any thing out of the ordinary for her age (teething, cold etc) The only thing in retrospect was how upset she was when I tried to change her nappy. I now realise the great pain she must have been in as I bent her little legs up and the pressure that this must have put on her spine.
Thankyou for your time.
Name/Location: yolande, england
Question:
is bacterial meningitis contagious or is the viral meningitis contagious
Name/Location: judie lovell, devon
Question:
I would like someone to tell me the after effects of Phn. Meningitis, as my husband had this one year ago. He is still tierd and lathargic, and catches every cold or bug going, how long does this last roughly ? thank you
Name/Location: Claire Way, Dorset
Question:
I had meningococal meningitis with pneumonia just over a year ago, which it seems I got whilst on holiday in Turkey. Beccause of this I now have memory problems, extreme fatigue and concentration problems. I also have a slight weakness down one side and sometimes arthritis flares up as it did in hospital on my right foot. I also completely stopped my periods when this happened, overnight. I have had breast lumps twice since which have been checked out and gone. They have said they may be due to the meningitis. Does that mean the bacteria is in some way still affecting my lymph nodes and if so when might it go? I still struggle to believe what happened to me (I am 51 years old) and get quite frustrated why I can't sem to do what I used to and worry I may lose my job although I am doing a phased return. It is very awkward as I look ok now so not everyone understands. Will I ever get completely better? I also find it very difficult to find the right words for things now. My mum had tuberculosis menigitis as a child as well.
Name/Location: Petra, Cheshire
Question:
My daughter had late onset Group B Strep which presented as meningtis and Septicaemia at 17 days old. She has made a full recovery. At the time all the doctors treatng her said she would have picked it up from me during labour. How likely this? I am now expecting my second child. Should I expect antibiotics during labour or should this new baby be given any special treatment after birth as a preventative measure? Many thanks in advance.
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