Meningitis
May I thank you for the way my accident claim has been handled, after my accident my confidence was very low indeed but the sympathetic handling of my case restored my confidence.
John, Sheffield
Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal
cord, the meninges, which can cause serious disability or even death.
Causes
Meningitis can be caused by a number of organisms, viruses, bacteria, fungi and even amoeba.
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and it's usually not as severe as bacterial meningitis.
In
the UK the most common cause of bacterial meningitis is infection with
the meningococcal or pneumococcal bacteria, but Hib, TB, E.Coli, and
Group B streptococcal bacteria can also cause meningitis.
Symptoms
Initial signs:
- Skin very pale,
- Cold hands or feet with high temperature
- Blue or dusky around lips
- Severe leg pain
Classic signs:
- Severe headache
- Fever/vomiting
- Drowsy and less responsive
- Stomach/joint/muscle pain
- Dislike of bright lights
- Stiff neck
- Rapid breathing
- Rash - at later stages of disease caused by septicaemia. It is non-blanching and does not disappear when pressed with a glass
Treatment
Viral
meningitis cannot be treated with antibiotics although anti-viral
treatment can be used in some cases depending on the type of virus.
Patients how are suffering with viral meningitis need good nursing care
and rest.
Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment with
antibiotics and appropriate hospital management is essential for
someone with bacterial meningitis. The sooner they are diagnosed and
treated, the greater chance there is they will make a full recovery.
Anyone who has been in direct, close, prolonged contact with the
infected person (normally family members and those deemed to be at an
increased risk) should be given appropriate protective antibiotics if
necessary.
Prevention
Public awareness of the risks of
contracting the illness, the early detection of symptoms and thus early
treatment and vaccination programmes.
Results
It is
estimated that at least 4 in 100,000 British children will become ill
with meningococcal disease. Most of those who get meningitis and
septicaemia will make a full recovery. However, experts estimate that
15% of sufferers are left with serious disabilities and many more will
suffer a range of short-term or less serious problems. Around 10% of
those infected will die.
In many cases, children are only admitted to hospital after their condition is initially misdiagnosed.
Return to Glossary Index
If you would like us to provide you with advice with regard to your potential claim, please complete our brief claim form. We will reply to your enquiry within one working day.
Fill out our quick claim form
If you would like to speak to someone directly about your claim, please call our friendly team on:
0870 024 0558