Superdrug Health

Immune system

Meningitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the meninges, the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a very serious disease and can kill within hours. Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, and occasionally by a fungus. Viral meningitis can be very unpleasant but it is almost never life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery. Bacterial meningitis is more serious and can be caused by a range of different bacteria. Bacterial meningitis kills one in ten people that catch it and one in seven survivors are left with a serious disability such as hearing loss or brain damage.

There are two main types of meningitis: viral meningitis caused by a viral infection and bacterial meningitis caused by a bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is less common but is more extreme. There are three types of bacterial meningitis: meningococcal (mainly A, B and C strains), pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). These bacteria live naturally in the nose, throat and airways and it is only when the body’s own defences fail, e.g. when we are run down, that the bacteria multiply and causes meningitis. The bacteria are spread through close contact with other people, e.g. through coughing, sneezing and kissing. Because the bacteria do not survive for long outside the body, meningitis cannot be spread through other routes such as water supplies.

Meningitis, regardless of whether it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, comes with a range of symptoms although not all of them will necessarily be seen at the same time. The main symptoms in adults and older children are high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe headache, neck stiffness, aversion to bright lights, drowsiness and pain in the muscles and joints. People struck by meningitis may also have fits and may become confused and disorientated. In babies and infants, the tell-tale signs are different and will include a fever (hands and feet stay cold though), refusal to eat or be handled, vomiting, a high-pitched moaning cry or whimpering, lethargy and difficulty to wake. The baby or infant may also have a blank and staring expression and their skin may go pale and blotchy. Another sign is the baby may pull back its neck and arch its back.

One important sign of meningococcal bacteria that is common to both adults and children is a rash. This is actually a sign of septicaemia (blood poisoning). The rash, which can appear anywhere on the body, looks like a cluster of spots at first but then join together to look like a fresh bruise. The classic test for this rash is the ‘glass test’ - if you press the side of a clear drinking glass against the rash or bruise and it does not fade it means there is septicaemia. If you see this you should call your doctor immediately as it is often one of the later signs to appear.

Medicines

Immunisation is the best form of protection against bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines against meningococcal type C, Hib and pneumococcal bacteria that are given as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme that starts in babies from age 2 months. It is essential that babies are immunised to protect them not just against these three types of bacterial meningitis, but also against other diseases such as diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, mumps, measles and rubella. Older children and adults who missed out on these vaccines, because they were not available when they were younger, may also be immunised if considered to be at risk. For example, adolescents going off to university should be immunised against meningitis C. It must be remembered that immunisation does not protect against all forms of bacterial meningitis, so it is important to suspect meningitis if any of the symptoms described above occur. In some parts of the world, the risk of catching other types of meningococcal infection is much higher than in the UK. For example, travellers to Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage are advised to be vaccinated against meningococcal type A, C, W135 and Y, for which there is a vaccine available.

If a person does get bacterial meningitis it can be treated with antibiotics but it is essential that treatment starts early before problems set in. Antibiotics do not work in viral meningitis so the only treatment is rest to allow the body to heal itself.

There are so many different forms and names for meningitis that it can be extremely confusing. Talk to your pharmacist if there is anything about the disease that you do not understand. Your pharmacist will be able to explain the disease to you, give advice about the childhood immunisation programme and what to do in the event that you may not have been immunised.

If travelling abroad, visit your pharmacist well in advance of your departure date for advice on the types of vaccinations you will need to protect you against meningitis and other types of disease, and for tablets to take to be covered against malaria.

If you suspect you or someone you know has meningitis or any of the symptoms of meningitis mentioned above, you must call a doctor immediately. Because the signs can be vague, it is easy to dismiss them as symptoms of flu - only the doctor can decide whether it is something serious.

If you are worried that you or your child may have missed out on their vaccinations, or if you are travelling abroad, visit your doctor who will be able to advise if you need to be vaccinated.