Meningitis

I lost my son, Spencer, to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia some time ago and can well imagine the pain that all those who knew William have suffered.

This tragedy emphasises the importance of early recognition, diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Most people who contact health professionals for advice do so because they are extremely concerned and know their relatives best. This should always be taken into account when doctors and nurses consider the condition of a patient, especially when they are showing the signs of meningitis.

Meningitis should always be a major consideration, because early diagnosis and hospital treatment could mean the difference between life and death. Meningitis can kill in under four hours.

Meningitis UK has a single focus – to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis.

It is imperative to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of the disease to prevent other families suffering the heartache and devastation meningitis can cause.

Sadly, although successful vaccines exist to protect against some strains, there is still no vaccine available to protect against the most common form, meningococcal group B, which causes almost 90 per cent of all cases in the UK.

In the absence of a vaccine to protect against all strains, we also distribute a wide range of material to raise awareness of the common symptoms and need to act quickly, which can mean the difference between life and death. If any of your readers would like a symptoms information pack they can call Meningitis UK on 0117-373-7373 or visit meningitisuk.org Steve Dayman, Meningitis UK.