Meningitis And Septicaemia

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis can be very severe, leading to fatality in cases and can otherwise cause serious complications such as brain damage, loss of limbs, hearing loss, or learning disabilities for those who survive. There are lots of factors which can contribute to the risk of
bacterial meningitis such as age for example. Infants from 0 to 5 years old are more at risk than other age groups, but people of any age can contract the disease, students being the second high-risk age group.
Other factors such as community settings for example, those in a close contact environments like college students are more at risk as infectious diseases tend to spread more quickly in larger groups in which people gather together.

Bacterial meningitis can be treated effectively with antibiotics, but it is vital these are started as soon as possible. Approximately 1 in 3 people who survive bacterial meningitis will unfortunately suffer an after effect. These after affects can range from mild to severe disabilities. Some may improve with time, although unfortunately some may not. There are vaccines to help protect against some strains of
meningitis and septicaemia in Ireland, but unfortunately not all yet.

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis can affect anyone. Viral meningitis is less severe than bacterial meningitis and is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the spinal cord and the brain. These membranes are known as the meninges. These membranes usually help to protect the brain from infection and injury. Viral meningitis usually clears up without any specific treatment, but can affect babies, children, or adults. It is
rarely life-threatening and as a result its affects on its sufferers are less understood. The after effects of viral meningitis are not usually as severe as that of bacterial meningitis, but they can still be very long lasting, including headaches, memory loss, depression, anxiety, balance problems and hearing difficulties.