Parents warned about killer meningitis bug

A leading meningitis charity is warning parents to be on their guard against the potentially deadly illness as they gear up to send their children back to school.

Meningitis UK says that illnesses spread more easily in the close confines of the classroom and they are concerned that meningitis symptoms could be mistaken for swine flu as the pandemic continues.

Research commissioned by the charity shows that nearly seven out of 10 adults are unaware there is no vaccine to protect against the most common form of meningitis in this country.

The nationwide MORI poll revealed 69 per cent did not realise there was no vaccine for meningitis B — the strain which causes almost 90 per cent of cases and can kill in under four hours.

Now the charity is encouraging parents to know the facts and be clued up on the symptoms, which can be hard to recognise because they are similar to those of many childhood illnesses.

Meningitis UK’s chief executive, Steve Dayman, who lost his own son Spencer to the disease, said: “A survey we conducted shows that many parents wrongly believe their child is protected against meningitis, which could prove fatal.

“A child with bacterial meningitis or septicaemia will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast, so parents should check them often because meningitis can kill in under four hours.

“It is vital parents trust their instincts and seek medical treatment as quickly as possible. In the absence of vaccine, this could mean the difference between life and death.”

Successful vaccines do exist against some forms of meningitis, including Hib, meningitis C and pneumococcal meningitis.

Meningitis UK is currently funding life-saving research into finding one for the deadly meningitis B strain. The disease can kill within hours and survivors are often left with severe after-effects including brain damage, sight and hearing loss, limb loss and scarring.

Anyone who wants to find out more can take meningitis UK’s online quiz at:

• www.meningitisuk.org

The public can also pick up a free symptoms information pack, which includes a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘check the symptoms’ fridge magnet and a handy wallet-sized symptoms card, by calling 0117 373 73 73.