Barbara Docherty writes in Sunday News about the highly dangerous disease meningitis, how to spot the symptoms, and what the best options for prevention are.
While sensible precautions such as regularly washing one’s hands and a healthy diet certainly help, the best means of preventing the viral form of the disease is vaccination, particularly in children (amongst whom the disease is most common). Other forms include bacterial (the most dangerous) and amoebic meningitis.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“Meningitis is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to influenza or other infections, and can develop over one or two days or suddenly over a few hours. Viral and bacterial meningitis have some common symptoms including stiff neck, headache and fever.
“Some people get a cough, runny nose and congestion before the main symptoms, which may also include confusion, drowsiness, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, seizures, sensitivity to light and skin rash. If you are checking for a rash, look for spots or bruises on paler parts near the armpits, palms or soles.”