World Meningitis Day
April 24, 2017
The theme for 2017 is ’24 Hours – Trust your instincts’
World Meningitis Day is observed every year around the world on April 24th to raise awareness about the signs, symptoms of the disease and the vaccines available.
Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) are responsible for organising World Meningitis Day every year.
This year, their key messages of the campaign are:
• Meningitis is a potentially deadly disease that affects more than 1 million people worldwide each year.
• Meningitis can affect people of all ages and cause death within 24 hours.
• Some forms of meningitis are vaccine preventable.
• Don’t wait until it threatens the life of someone you care about, learn what to look for and trust your instincts.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected.
What are the symptoms of Meningitis?
The most common symptoms in adults are fever, headache and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises and in infants, decreased appetite, irritability, sleepiness, lethargy and fever.
What are the complications of Meningitis?
Complications from Meningitis are seizures, hearing loss, brain damage, hydrocephalus, a subdural effusion, or a buildup of fluid between the brain and the skull.
How is Meningitis treated?
Meningitis requires immediate hospitalization. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death.
Source: www.en.wikipedia.org/www.healthline.com/www.comomeningitis.org
Image Credit: www.comomeningitis.org
