Getting clinical...
I've been meaning to sit down and write what I hope to be self-help pointers in dealing with certain medical conditions afflicting those I'm not able to assist or help physically. This is my first attempt in posting notes on certain health conditions which I am unable to go into depth on the forums as of yet - mainly because I'm too lazy to take a camera around me at work to obtain photos to present a digestable presentation. In effect this is almost like a draft diary - if you can work out what that means!
I had the misfortune of witnessing from a distance, a death 20yrs back ago involving someone close to me and was helpless to do anything about the events either preceeding or afterwards. Simply, there was nothing I could do to alert persons on ground that the cause of this person's illness and impending death was due to none other, than meningitis. I hope there comes a day when a translator can write what I'm posting here in languages that can be understood locally by all persons in Ug.
Meningococcal Disease/Meningitis
Cause of illness
Meningococcal disease is a severe illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. This illness can be expressed as either meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, or as meningococcemia, a severe infection that results when the bacteria invade and infect the bloodstream.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.
The inflammation is caused when either bacteria or viruses gain entrance into the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Bacterial Meningitis
Most often, bacterial meningitis is caused by Niesseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae and less often by Haemophilus influenzae.
Bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and may cause death. Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important and can improve the patient's outcome.
Viral (Aseptic) Meningitis
Viral meningitis is most often caused by a member of a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. Although viral meningitis is a severe illness, it rarely causes death.
International health specialists worry that a major meningitis epidemic could hit Africa within the next three years, claiming tens of thousands of lives, just as supplies of vaccines for the illness are at an all-time low. This is partly blamed on possible stockpiling of the existing stock of vaccines currently available in circulation in various affected African countries. I will elaborate on this in a follow-up as I run the risk of digressing as I always do...
Health officials say the rising number of cases this year is a worrying sign. Uganda, amongst other African countries have experienced meningitis epidemics this year. "All the signs are pointing toward something stronger happening," William Perea, head of the meningitis programme for WHO in Geneva has been quoted to have told IRIN. Epidemics across Africa's ‘meningitis belt', which stretches from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, claimed 25,000 lives among at least 250,000 people who were infected between 1995 and 1997. Semi-arid Sahelian countries are hit each year by outbreaks of meningitis during the dry seasons between December and June when strong, dust-laden winds and cold nights make people more prone to respiratory infections.
Symptoms or signs of meningitis are:-
Fever, chills, malaise (general tiredness), rash, severe headache, disorientation, sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), stiff neck. Illness onset is usually abrupt with fever, chills, malaise and possibly a rash. The meningitis form of the disease can also include severe headache with or without photosensitivity, disorientation, ad a stiff neck.
10-15% cases are fatal. Of patients who recover 10-15% have permanent hearing loss, mental retardation, loss of limbs, or other serious effects.
Transmission occurs from person to person through droplets from the nose and mouth.
The incubation period - 1-10 days, mostly commonly lasting 3-4 days.
Prevention & control Use of preventative antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin or rifampin is recommended for those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with meningococcal disease. Anyone who suspects possible exposure should consult a physician immediately.
Close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotics to prevent them getting the disease. Close contacts include household members, day care centre contacts and anyone directly exposed to the patient's oral secretions (e.g. sharing eating utensils, kissing, sharing a drink, sharing a cigarette).
Respiratory etiquette (covering your cough or sneeze) and good hand-washing are important ways to reduce the spread of disease.
Treatment for any communicable disease should always be done in consultation with your health care provider.
Meningococcal disease can be rapidly progressive. With early diagnosis and treatment, however, the likelihood of full recovery is increased. Treatment generally consists of intravenous antibiotics usually given over a period of five to seven days.