News & events

• Latest news
  • News archive
  • Fighting for a vaccine in memory of Kayden
  • Meningitis strikes Mossley family twice
  • Motocross in memory of Kelsey
  • Survivor Louise launches Big Stroll at Giants Causeway
  • Running in memory of Ross
  • Brave parents raise awareness in memory of Kadyn
  • Friends and family unite to remember Joél
  • Pounding the pavements in memory of Hannah
  • Meningitis survivor takes on personal swimming challenge
  • Raising awareness of meningitis in memory of Samantha
  • Runners unite for World Meningitis Day
  • Torch bearer Sally swims for the fight against meningitis
  • Take part in the Great North Run
  • Walking in memory of Stuart
  • Families step out for Big Stroll North East
  • Pub punters help stamp out meningitis
  • Meningitis UK welcomes Meningitis B vaccine trial news
  • Families touched by meningitis help launch awareness trailer
  • Motocross fundraiser in Kelsey Smart's memory raises £900
• Photo gallery
• Video
• Media centre
• Newsletter
• Supporter DVD
• 10th Anniversary
• Information days
• Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign

News RSS Feed

Back to school meningitis warning

31.08.10 

A WARNING has been issued to parents, urging them to be on their guard against meningitis as their children return to school after the summer holidays.

Charity Meningitis UK says the close confines of a classroom put youngsters more at risk from the deadly brain bug.

Meningitis kills more under-fives than any other infectious disease while teenagers and students are also more vulnerable.

Research commissioned by the charity shows that 62 per cent of people are unaware there is still no vaccine for the most common and one of the most deadly forms in the UK - meningitis B.

Meningitis UK's advice to parents is to make sure they are clued-up on the full range of meningitis symptoms and to trust their instincts.

Its Chief Executive Steve Dayman, who lost his own son Spencer to the disease, said: "The survey shows that many parents wrongly believe their child is protected from meningitis, which could prove fatal.

"We're urging them to know the facts and be extra vigilant as their children return to the crowded environment of a school, where germs spread more easily due to close human contact.

"Meningitis and septicaemia can be hard to recognise in the early stages because the initial symptoms are similar to many mild childhood diseases.

"A child with bacterial meningitis or septicaemia will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast, so parents should check them often because meningitis can kill in under four hours.

"It is vital parents trust their instincts and seek medical treatment as quickly as possible. In the absence of a vaccine, this could mean the difference between life and death."

Successful vaccines exist against some forms of meningitis, including Hib, Meningitis C and pneumococcal meningitis. Meningitis UK funds life-saving research into finding one for the deadly meningitis B strain.

The disease can kill within hours and survivors are often left with severe after-effects including brain damage, sight and hearing loss, limb loss and scarring.

Meningitis UK is also offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘Check the Symptoms' fridge magnet and a handy wallet-sized symptoms card.

To order your free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisUK.org