Meningitis: 10 quick facts

Meningitis has recently killed three South Africans and infected many others. Here are 10 facts on this life-threatening condition.

Here are some quick facts on this life-threatening and highly contagious disease.

• Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Meningitis can be caused by either bacterial or viral infection.
• Bacterial meningitis is an uncommon but life-threatening condition; viral meningitis, although more common, is generally less serious.
• Anyone can contract meningitis, but those most at risk are children under five, teenagers and young adults, older people and people with certain chronic illnesses.
• The classic symptoms of meningitis are fever, headache and neck stiffness.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis and the associated condition of meningococcal septicaemia are vital for a good outcome and recovery.
• Meningococcal septicaemia is a type of blood poisoning associated with meningitis, and is a very serious condition.
• Bacterial meningitis is fatal in one in 10 cases and one in seven survivors is left with a serious disability, such as deafness or brain injury. Fatality rates for septicaemia are even higher - about 20%.
• The risk of getting the dangerous forms of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia is very small. However, sometimes the bacteria can spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a person with meningitis.
• There are vaccines that provide excellent protection against some forms of meningitis, but all strains of the disease cannot yet be prevented.

Read more:
Vaccination Centre
Meningitis shot concerns
A-Z of Meningitis

February 2007