Hi guys – I am one of those mums who really does live in fear of this horrible disease. When our children are young we pride ourselves on teaching them to share but sadly when they begin school we are forced to change this as sharing could kill

them.

I don’t know about the rest of Australia but here is Tasmania we have had very high incidences of Meningococcal, gone are the drinking fountains at all school and parks and children are reminded by teachers and other staff members NOT to share their drinks.

I have gone to the extreme of putting straw’s in my children’s schoolbags just in case on of their friends needs a drink. This way my girls can share without the risk.

I am sure that the threat of Meningococcal is something that is in the back of every mum or dads mind. There is no doubt that Meningococcal is a nightmare for anyone that has had to deal with it or even lose a loved one. As winter is approaching us Australians we need to be aware of the risk relating to Meningococcal.

Being armed with as many facts as possible is a great way to help save a live. I myself carry a card around in my wallet that has some basic info for the ‘just in case’ this card also has a picture of the Meningococcal rash.

~ What is Meningococcal? ~

Meningococcal is an acute bacterial infection that can cause death within hours of being infected if no medical help is sought. Meningococcal can appear in several different ways:

• Bacterial form of Meningitis (an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord)

OR

• Septicaemia. .  (This is the more dangerous and deadly of the two)

 

~ So how do people catch Meningococcal? ~

The Meningococcal disease is transmitted via a persons salvia, therefore Meningococcal can be caught via kissing, sneezing, coughing, sharing drinks and other normal environments where people come into close contact such as Day-care centres, School camps, parties and nightclubs.

Practically everyone will come into contact with some form of the Meningococcal bacteria throughout their lives and have no problems, the risk only occurs if you pick up a strain of the bacteria that you are not immunised against or if perhaps your immune system is weakened.

~ So who is at risk of catching Meningococcal? ~

The Meningococcal disease can strike both adults and children but it is most common in these groups:

• Babies from birth to 5 yrs of age
• Teens
• Young adults under 25
• Smokers

Meningococcal is known to be more likely to occur in winter and early spring. Why Meningococcal seems to be more of an issue in these months is unsure and scientists are still working on this . . . .

~ So what are the symptoms of Meningococcal? ~

The symptoms of Meningococcal can be difficult to identify, as most early signs are very very similar to the flu, gastro, and a horrible hangover. You should also be on the lookout for:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Sudden lack of energy

Other symptoms may also include:

• A sore leg or arm
• An aching joint
• Pains in the chest or the stomach

The most associated symptom with Meningococcal is a purple rash but it is important to remember that his rash does not always appear.  So if you have two or more of the above symptoms then it’s very important that you see you local doctor.

~ More information the on purple rash! ~

This rash is quite distinctive and if quite often one of the final symptoms of the more deadly type of Meningococcal known as ‘Septicaemia’. This means that if the rash appears you should seek urgent medical help.

The rash is caused by your blood doing its job and releasing poisonous toxins, which can damage your blood vessels and in turn cause them to leak through your skin. It’s important to not that if you have this rash you can if left untreated literally bleed to death.

~ What is the glass trick I have head of? ~

This is a trick which can save your or someone you know lives. If you have a purple rash and are not sure if it may be Meningococcal then simply place a clean and dry drinking glass on the rash, if the rash doesn’t disappear then call an ambulance by dialling 000 (911 in the USA).

~ What about my baby, what are the symptoms, what do I look out for? ~

It’s a little difficult to know what’s going on with our young babies because they simply can’t tell us . . So here are some things to look out for:

• Fever
• Fever with cold hands and feet
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on bubs head)
• Floppiness and being lethargic
• Pale or blotchy skin
• Difficulty in waking
• Blank staring expressions
• Not wanting to be held
• Moan or high pitched crying
• Red, pink or purple rash (use the glass method)
• Arching of bubs body or neck
• Poor feeding

Please remember when it comes to Meningococcal the appearance of the distinctive rash means you must seek urgent medical help. However upon saying this please don’t assume that because there is no rash that there is no urgency as this simply isn’t the case.

Last year my eldest lost a classmate to Meningococcal. It was a hard time for her and her classmates and even the local community. . Remember to be informed and to always be on the look out.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Cheers Kellz

Xoxoxoxoxo

© Copyright 2008 Kellzacar. . All writings by Kellzacar remain the property of Kellzacar and should not be republished or copied without written permission. Kellzacar can be emailed via Minti. Any similarities are by coincidence only as all writings etc are the research and or thoughts of the writer. All links are to websites used or visited whilst writing this article