Meningitis is a common disease amongst babies, children, young adults and adults too. Meningitis can be life-threatening if not treated fast enough. The vaccine is available for people at Westbury Chemist Streatham.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection that can be harmful to babies, children and young adults. It’s an infection that occurs in the protective membrane that surrounds our brain and spinal cord. This is often referred to as the meninges.
See the diagram below.
A bit of interesting science
There are three protective membranes that surround our brain and these are as follows:
1. Dura mater
The Dura is the outermost layer out of the three meninges that protect the brain and the spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system. Learn More
2. Arachnoid mater
Arachnoid mater connects to the Dura on the side that is closest to the central nervous system. The matter consists of fibres and collagens (structural proteins) which belong to the suspension system. This helps protect the brain and the spinal cord from sudden impact. Learn More
3. Pia mater
Pia is the most delicate layer within the meninges. It sits as the innermost layer in the protective membrane. Pia covers most of the brain. Its job is to act as a barrier and assist in the making of the cerebrospinal fluid. Learn More
Is Meningitis Contagious?
Not in all cases. Bacterial and viral Meningitis can spread from coughing, sharing utensils, kissing (exchange of saliva) and sneezing. Sharing infected droplets of body fluids can be shared in the form of sneezing and coughing. Ensuring you wash your hands prevents this from happening.
Symptoms of Meningitis
More often than not, meningitis is mistaken for influenza (flu) at its early stages of development. Depending on how bodies behave, symptoms can rapidly develop.
According to the NHS, these are the known symptoms of Meningitis disease.
- High temperature or fever
- Headaches
- Sick
- Rashes. NHS provide the advice that if the rash doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, it could be signs of meningitis. It will not always be the case that rashes develop either.
- Stiff neck
- Irritated by bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures or fits
There is no direct order to this list of symptoms. People can experience this arbitrarily.
Symptoms of Meningitis in babies
According to Mayo Clinic, newborn babies may show the following signs of meningitis. If you’re a new parent, keep an eye on these symptoms for your children
- High fever
- Constant crying
- Excessive sleepiness or irritability
- Difficulty waking from sleep
- Inactivity or sluggishness
- Not waking to eat
- Poor feeding
- Vomiting
- A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby’s head (fontanel)
- Stiffness in the body and neck
If in doubt about these symptoms, please contact your local GP or doctor for more information.
Diagnosing Meningitis
If you or your child are experiencing any of the symptoms above, contact your doctor immediately.
There are a few methods doctors may use to diagnose meningitis. The most common procedure to undertake is the Lumbar Puncture.
The procedure
Your doctor will insert two long and thin needles between the two vertebrae in your lower back. This will allow them to extract cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid adds cushioning between the brain and the spinal cord. Once the CSF goes to the lab, they’ll analyse it for organisms that could cause meningitis.
Other methods of diagnosing meningitis
Blood Cultures
Blood cultures is a process where a sample of your blood gets stained and analysed under a microscope. Analysts would be looking for bacteria.
Imaging
Imaging for meningitis would include a CT or MRI scan of our head to check for signs of swelling. Assessing your chest and sinuses could display results of an infection which could be a contributing factor.
Prevention of the Meningitis Disease
An article published by Mayoclinic.org suggests the following steps to take to prevent contracting meningitis.
- Washing Your Hands
Washing your hands thoroughly can help prevent the spreading of germs. Children should wash their hands properly before eating, using the toilet, visiting crowded public places and petting animals. Use warm temperature water and anti-bacterial hand wash, use recommended hand washing techniques for thorough cleaning. - Stop Sharing
Maintaining good hygiene would imply not sharing drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, lipsticks and lip balms. Children have a kind nature, they’re open to sharing but that’s okay for toys not for the above-listed items. - Strengthening the Immune System
Eating well and having a balance of your vitamins, fitness and enough rest can help prevent contracting the disease. - Covering Your Mouth
If you have a sneeze or cough coming through, ensure to cover your mouth and immediately wash or sanitise your hands before touching anything else. This will stop the spread of germs and bacteria. Remember the source of meningitis is bacteria passing into your protective membrane.
Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
According to the NHS, the MenACWY vaccine is a single shot vaccine given in the upper arm. It protects you against 4 strains A, C, W, Y which make up the meningococcal bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria can cause poisoning of the blood as well as meningitis. If you haven’t had the vaccination, then it’s urgent you get one as soon as possible.
To book your Meningitis vaccination at Westbury Chemist, Streatham follow the below.
The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to school children in years 9 and 10. It’s advised by the NHS that students just starting university also take the vaccination.
If you were born on or after the 1st September 1996 and have missed taking the vaccination could still be eligible to take it up until your 25th birthday. Book your vaccination sooner rather than later.
Who Needs The MenACWY Vaccine?
As children who are growing up, parents should ensure that all 11 to 12-year-olds take the MenACWY vaccine. When children turn the age of 16, they should also top up on a booster for the vaccine to continue protecting them from the disease.
Children and adults who are at high risk of meningococcal disease are recommended to take the vaccine as well. This includes young adults and students, travellers and military personnel.
Where To Get The Meningitis Vaccine?
The vaccine is available at most travel clinic in your area. Find your local travel vaccination clinic or chemist who offer this and book your appointments.
More specifically, for people who are based in Streatham, Streatham Hill, Streatham Common and surrounding areas, you can visit Westbury Chemist on Streatham High Road for your vaccinations.
Meningitis Serious Side Effects
Just as most vaccinations, the ACWY vaccine has side effects as well. None of which are recognised to be threatening. Generally, according to NHS guidance, the side effects are mild and tend to pass quickly.
In young adults and teenagers, they could experience, redness, itchiness and hardening in the area where the vaccination was given. Also, high temperature, nausea, and fatigue are recognised as side effects. These as mentioned before, tend to pass fairly quickly. Sometimes small lumps can form but these disappear in a few weeks should they form.
If you are concerned at all about the side effects after the vaccine, please contact your doctor or local GP for advice.
How Long Does The Vaccine Last?
The meningitis ACWY vaccine lasts only about 5 years, no boosters required. However, for adults, if your doctor recommends the booster or for you to take the vaccine, then you are able to do so.
For specific countries such as Saudi Arabia, you’re required to show them your ACWY vaccination certificate. Seek advice from your travel clinic if you need the certificate.
Meningitis Rash
The rash is something that forms as an sign that you have contracted the meningitis disease. It’ll look different to a typical rash you have on your body from irritation or agitated skin. Unlike typical rashes, the meningitis rash doesn’t form lumps or bumps on your skin. It’s below the skin surface and they’re spotty. These are blood spots, if the bleeding beneath the skin continues, this would show signs of seriousness.
The rash is the product of blood positing and broken vessels in your body, also known as meningococcal septicemia.
According to Medical News Today, in babies and adults, a meningitis rash may look like the following:
- tiny red, pink, brown, or purple pinprick marks (petechiae) on the skin
- purple bruise-like marks
- blotchy-appearing areas of skin
- pale or mottled areas of skin
Meningitis FAQs
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Book Your Meningitis Vaccine
Westbury Chemist, Streatham offers a vaccination for Meningitis. Book your vaccination today
