How to prevent deadly meningitis

Harmanpreet Kaur

New Delhi: Meningitis is on the prowl in Delhi. 13 cases of the disease have been reported besides one death in the capital that during the month of January.

Meningitis is much like common flu which results in inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

"Meningococcal bacteria causes Meningitis. And the root of the infection is through the respiratory root," says Neurologist Dr Satish Jain.

Common symptoms of Meningitis include Fever, Rashes, Irritability, stiff body, headache, and at times, loss of consciousness. Unless treated immediately, it kills 20-25 per cent of those infected. In acute cases the patient suffers permanent damage to some areas of the brain and even selective paralysis in extreme cases.

Good hygiene is essential for prevention of the infection. The disease is extremely contagious, so doctors advice to a close contact with an infected person.

"People who live in shared accommodations like hostels are at high risk group. Elderly and young children are more susceptible to the disease," says Dr Randeep Guleria, Professor, Dept of Medicine, AIIMS.

While Anti-meningitis vaccines are available, they take two to three weeks to kick in.

 

Source: CNN-IBN