Flu-like Symptoms? Don’t Take It For Granted, It Could Be Meningitis!
According to CDC FluView data for the end of March, only two states reported high levels of influenza-like illness (ILI) and less than 10 states, down from the previous month’s 16, recorded widespread influenza activity. The 2017–2018 flu season is indeed coming to an end (in the US and in the Northern Hemisphere). But for those living in the Southern Hemisphere — about 1/3 of Africa, most of South America and nearly all of Australia — the 2018 flu season is just about to begin. With the flu season, people are worried about getting infected with influenza — and rightly so. But there is one another infection that we should keep in mind as well.
There is a higher risk of meningitis during the ‘flu months’ as people spend a lot more time indoors and with close contact, germs are spread more easily. In addition, coming down with the flu may weaken the immune system making you more susceptible to pathogens that can cause meningitis. In the early stages in young children and adolescents, meningitis appears to have similar symptoms to that of the flu. However, while both can cause a headache, the stiff neck of meningitis generally does not occur with the flu. The classic signs of meningitis in babies are bulging of the fontanelle (soft spot on the head in babies), blank staring look and limpness. Young children, adolescents and older patients would show signs of confusion, drowsiness and dislike of bright lights. Meningitis can develop rapidly over a few hours often leaving doctors little time for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Meningitis is a potentially lethal disease that affects more than 2.8 million people globally each year. It affects the delicate membranes — called meninges — that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by different pathogens: fungal meningitis is rare and generally only occurs in people with weakened immune systems, whereas viral meningitis for the most part is neither deadly nor debilitating and most people recover without specific therapy, while bacterial meningitis can be deadly and contagious among people in close contact. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. Among those who survive, as many as 19 percent live with permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, loss of kidney function or limb amputations.
Meningitis can affect anyone at any age and cause death within 24 hours. Approximately half of bacterial meningitis cases occur in children under 5 years old and infants have a higher risk. A second meningococcal disease peak occurs in adolescents and young adults. The elderly (over the age of 65) have a high risk of dying from it. Adults and children with a weakened immune system and those who have skipped routine recommended vaccinations have a higher risk of infection.
What are the ways to prevent meningitis?
Keep yourself healthy. Maintain your immune system by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Also, be sure to get the sleep you need.
Practice good hygiene. Don’t share items where secretions can lurk like drinking glasses, water bottled, food, eating utensils, lip balms or toothbrushes with anyone. When you need to cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth and nose or bury your head in your elbow so that your spray goes into your sleeve and no further.
Wash your hands. Careful hand-washing helps prevent germs. Teach children to wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the toilet, spending time in a crowded public place, petting animals or sneezing or blowing your nose.
Get vaccinated. There are safe and effective vaccines that protect against the most common causes of bacterial and viral meningitis. However, there is no single ‘meningitis vaccine’ since there are different bacteria that can cause meningitis, there are a variety of vaccines that are needed to protect against it, such as the: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Currently available vaccines could prevent more than 90% of cases of bacterial meningitis. Getting vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox can help prevent diseases that can lead to viral meningitis. Not all strains of meningitis are vaccine preventable, so it is important to be able to recognize the symptom.
World Meningitis Day is celebrated on the 24th of April each year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, the disease itself, and increasing knowledge of available vaccines. Don’t wait until it threatens the life of someone you care about. Learn what to look for and trust your instincts. Act now and spread the word! Tell others about World Meningitis Day! #AllMeningitisMatters
