Meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that can kill in
hours.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining
around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is
the blood poisoning form of the disease, known as meningococcal
septicaemia.
Meningitis and septicaemia can cause symptoms such as a severe
headache, vomiting, high fever, cold hands and feet, stiff neck and
sensitivity to light. Many people (but not all) also develop a
distinctive skin rash. Symptoms can differ in babies and young
children.
Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and
occasionally is due to fungal infections, although almost any
microbe can cause it.
While viral meningitis can be very unpleasant it is almost never
life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery.
Meningitis and septicaemia caused by bacteria are usually more
serious than other forms. There are at least 50 kinds of bacteria
that can cause meningitis and septicaemia. Most cases in the
UK are caused by meningococcal bacteria.
The main types of bacteria that cause meningitis and
septicaemia are...
- Meningococcal
- Pneumococcal
- Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib)
- Group B Streptococcal (GBS)
- Tubercular (TB)
- E. coli
- Listeria
Anyone can get meningitis or septicaemia, but age is one
of the main risk factors.
Babies are at higher risk of bacterial meningitis than any other
age group. Toddlers are also at increased risk of meningitis.
Teenagers and young adults are at risk mainly from meningococcal
disease.
But it is important to know that you can get meningitis or
septicaemia at any time of your life.
Most people who get meningitis and septicaemia survive, often
without any after effects, but sometimes these diseases cause a
range of disabilities and problems that can alter people's
lives.
It is estimated that every day in the UK and Ireland two people
will be left with life-altering after effects as severe as brain
damage, deafness and multiple amputations.
After effects may be temporary or permanent, physical or
emotional.
For further information on how MyInjuryLawyer can help with a
meningitis or scepticaemia claim, please call us free on
0800 043 4299.