PARENTS must brush up on the symptoms of meningitis after the “unnecessary” death of a teenage girl, health officials have warned.
Aoife Johnston, 16, passed away from the condition in December last year following delays in her treatment.
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The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it expects the number of meningitis cases in the UK to rise again this winter.
So people should be aware of the early signs to ensure they receive treatment before it’s too late, it added.
Consultant Louise Flanagan said: “Meningitis can occur at any time of year, but is seen most frequently in the winter.
“It is a serious disease, so it is vital everyone becomes more vigilant and makes themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of the condition, as a rash is not the only sign to be aware of.
“The symptoms are often non-specific. In the early stages it could be mistaken for other illnesses such as flu, although with meningitis the person tends to be sicker than with these other conditions.
“However, the disease can develop very quickly and it is important to seek urgent medical attention if you think meningitis is a possibility.”
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
It can affect anyone, but it is most common in babies, young children and teenagers, with around 8,000 cases in the UK every year.
While treatable, it can be very serious and sometimes fatal.
It can cause sepsis (life-threatening blood poisoning, sometimes called septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
Aoife, from Shannon, Ireland, waited 12 hours in an overcrowded A&E department before she was treated for sepsis.
She died of bacterial meningitis just hours later on December 19, 2022.
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) apologised for the “failings” in Aoife’s care.
Health bosses want lessons to be learned from her death to prevent any other families going through the same heartache.
A major part of this is ensuring mums, dads and medics are familiar with the symptoms of meningitis so treatment can begin early.
According to Meningitis Now, the most common early signs in children are:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Stomach cramps
- Cold hands and feet
Sufferers may later experience confusion, irritability, convulsions or seizures, a stiff neck, drowsiness, and a dislike for bright lights.
Pale and blotchy skin, spots and a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it are also common signs.
Ms Flanagan said: “A very important sign is a rash that does not disappear if a glass is pressed against it.
“If someone develops this, they need urgent medical attention.
“It can appear anywhere on the body so it is important to check under clothing.
“However, a rash doesn’t always appear when someone has meningitis, so don’t wait for a rash before seeking medical attention if other signs are present.”
A child with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly, so parents should check on them regularly.
If they deteriorate, call 999 immediately.
The best way to protect your little one is by getting them vaccinated.
Jabs that offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis include:
- MenB vaccine – offered to babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks and a booster at one year
- 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- Pneumococcal vaccine – two doses offered to babies at 12 weeks and one year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
- Hib/MenC vaccine – offered to babies at one year of age
- MMR vaccine – offered to babies at one year and a second dose at three years and four months
- MenACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers and “fresher” students going to university for the first time
Ms Flanagan said: “If your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as you can to make sure they have maximum protection against disease.
“The school-based vaccination programme, which includes the menACWY is also continuing, so don’t forget to sign and return consent forms when you receive them.”
Types of meningitis
MENINGITIS, which is spread through coughing, sneezing and kissing, affected around 8,000 people in the UK every year before Covid.
This number has since decreased, but it remains a “global public health challenge”, according to the World Health Organization.
A 2019 study found there were 2.82million cases internationally in 2016, with 236,000 deaths.
Around 112,000 of these were reportedly in children under five.
While everyone is at risk, it is more common in babies, kids, teenagers, young adults, older people and those with weakened immune systems.
There are two main types – viral and bacterial.
Several different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, including:
- Meningococcal bacteria – A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z
- Pneumococcal bacteria
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria
- Enteroviruses
- The mumps virus
- The herpes simplex virus
Vaccines are available to protect against many of these infections.
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