Learn the symptoms of meningitis - it could save a life

THE Yeovil Press is backing the national Meningitis Awareness Week which is running this week (Sept 16-22).

The national campaign is being run by the Meningitis Research Foundation which encourages the public to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to act quickly if they suspect a loved one is ill.

A spokesman for the Yeovil Press said: “We are wholeheartedly behind this awareness campaign.

“Meningitis is such a dreadful disease which can strike without warning and kill within hours.

“We’ve all heard of meningitis – but how many of us know the symptoms. Please take a look at the symptoms; it could help to save the life of a loved one.”

The campaign has also gained the support of Paralympic and World Champion 100m sprinter Jonnie Peacock, patron of the Meningitis Research Foundaiton.

He contracted group B meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in October 1998 when he was just five-years-old. He lost his right leg below the knee, but he believes he is lucky in comparison to other meningitis survivors he has met.

“Vaccines have almost eliminated many types of meningitis, but the current vaccines do not prevent all strains and there is no vaccine for meningococcal B disease, which is responsible for the majority of cases of disease in the UK and Ireland,” said Jonnie.

Meningitis and septicaemia affect ten people in the UK and Ireland every day – killing one of them.

They can strike without warning and leave a quarter of survivors with life altering after-effects ranging from deafness and brain damage to loss of limbs.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Paralympic champ Jonnie Peacock who lost his leg just below knee as a result of contracting meningitis when he was aged just five.

Children under five and students are most at risk, but all age groups are vulnerable.

To find out more about the symptoms visit the MRF website on www.meningitis.org or phone the free helpline on 080-8800-3344.

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