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Wednesday 22 June 2011

MENINGITIS KILLS- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS, SAVE LIVES


Thank you for visiting our blog, we hope to make your time worthwhile. Our blog is about the ongoing problem of meningitis, which often occurs along with septicaemia. You may not realise but meningitis kills about 170, 000 people a year and can leave long term after effects, including mental and physical disabilities. Also, because of meningitis, many lose limbs, as wells as sight and memory. These are only a few of the disastrous after effects.

• Both meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that can kill in hours.
• Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
• Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease.
• 1 in 10 people who contract it die.
• There is only a vaccine for meningitis C form, which accounts for 40% of cases
• The UK’s leading meningitis charity is The Meningitis Trust, http://www.meningitis-trust.org/

How does one contract these diseases?


Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and occasionally is due to fungal infections, although almost any microbe can cause it. While viral meningitis can be very unpleasant it is almost never life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is very life threatening and deadly.

This is why it is vital to know the symptoms, as they are commonly mistaken for flu. Meningitis can happen to anyone, at any time: to your family; friends or even YOU. Learn the symptoms and YOU can save lives!




Please, if you could spare a minute to comment on our blog and answer a few questions, it would be very much appreciated. We also would encourage you to view our short YouTube video about the story of a brave young boy called Harley Lane

1. Had you heard of meningitis before reading our blog?

2. Do you now feel more informed?

3. Do you think you would recognise the symptoms in yourself or others?

4. Would you be willing to donate to the Meningitis Trust or another meningitis charity?

5. Would you be willing to inform others of meningitis and symptoms/ our blog?

Please include your hometown and country (if not UK) in your comment so we can monitor how effective our blog is across the world.


Many thanks, Ellie & Vicky
Posted by at

30 comments:

  1. Anonymous7 July 2011 at 19:12

    Hi, this is a great charity to support. I have heard of the Meningitis Trust and the valuable work they do. I would like to think I would recognise the symptoms. Yes I would be willing to donate to the Trust or other charity. Yes I would be willing to inform others.

    Newton Abbot

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jo Campbell8 July 2011 at 11:30

    Hi Ellie and Vicky
    This is a great blog, fantastic work and well done to you both - I've blogged about it myself here:
    Please watch this
    We really appreciate the support you are giving to us here at the Meningitis Trust. As the Community Development Officer for the South West I am happy to help all I can. If anyone would like further information on our work, help raise vital funds or has a few hours to spare I would love to hear from you. Please call me on 0845 120 0664 or email joannec@meningitis-trust.org With best wishes
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9 July 2011 at 20:11

    Excellent work as a father of a child who has suffered Meningitis I strongly support all efforts to reduce the effects of Meningitis well done

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9 July 2011 at 21:14

    Hi Ellie and Vicky,
    I just wanted to say thanks for making this blog, as I feel that not enough people know enough about meningitis, with many not even knowing the symptoms of it.
    My best friend got meningitis a couple of years ago, so I understand trauma it can have on friends and families. Thankfully she had viral meningitis and so is fully recovered now, but there was a time when I was so scared that I was going to lose her. I am really glad that I didn't, and sincerely hope that less people will have to go through this pain if they simply learn more about the disease.

    1. Yes, I have heard of meningitis before.
    2. I now feel more informed about the symptoms.
    3. I might, though my first reaction would be to think that they had the flu.
    4. Yes I would.
    5. Yes I would.

    Torquay

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11 July 2011 at 00:26

    Hi,

    A very clear presentation of the facts relating to Meningitis both in written word and picture form.It is obvious that a lot of effort has gone into the format of your work as well as passing on interesting information. The facts of the disease have been clearly pointed out and I now feel more aware of symptoms that may present themselves.

    Well done.

    C.Donnelly RGN

    ReplyDelete
  6. Maria D.P12 July 2011 at 21:24

    well done to both of you for putting in the effort to create this blog. i can see that you've put alot of time into this.

    1-yes
    2-i feel very well informed about the symptoms thanks to you both
    3-i hope i do
    4-yes i would
    5-yes i would

    WELL DONE AGAIN FOR YOUR FANTASTIC WORK ♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9 September 2011 at 12:53

    1 yes
    2 yes i am informed
    3 yes i think i would well i hope i would
    4 yup
    5 yup
    well done guys :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous13 September 2011 at 14:27

    This blog rerally touched me. i think you will inform lots of people about a)the charity and b) the disease. I have heard of the Charity before but you have made me more aware about what it can do and the problems behind it. I think now i can help people who are suffering from it and help someone if they have the symptons. Thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous13 September 2011 at 14:37

    1- yes
    2- yes
    3- i hope i would
    4- yes
    5- yes
    thanks for making this blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous13 September 2011 at 14:43

    this is a great charity! i had meningitus viral type as a baby but i am fine thanks to the great nurses :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous15 September 2011 at 15:35

    1. Yes
    2. Yes
    3. I hope I will
    4.Yes
    5.Yes
    thanks for making this blog x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous16 September 2011 at 11:37

    1.Yes
    2.Yes
    3.I hope so
    4. Yes
    5.Yes
    Thanks for making this blog it is so inspiring x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hannah:D!16 September 2011 at 19:05

    Great blog! i watched your video in citizenship vicky and it was so sad but really inspiring as well(: i had heard of it vaguely before but not very well, and your blog has really helped along with the video. I would really consider donating towards the charity because you've made a really powerful inpact on how i feel about symptons such as meningitus and how fatal they are.
    Thanks!:D

    ReplyDelete
  14. How To Relieve20 September 2011 at 07:02

    Gladly will inform your blog to others. Feel much informed and recognized the symptoms. I will consider to donate, Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous27 September 2011 at 17:47

    Watching your video in class the other day really touched my heart,, very good blog and video :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vicky6 January 2012 at 14:43

    Thank you for all of your comments about the blog and the video :D We both really appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous30 January 2012 at 14:31

    I am really impressed with this - well done.

    [1]. Yes I had heard of the disease before.
    [2]. I was aware of what to do, but also feel that it it good to be reminded of what to look out for and what to do.
    [3]. Not sure - always difficult until you have to do it for real. But, certainly feel rather more informed than I was before.
    [4]. I already do...
    [5]. Have forwarded on the link to others already!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous6 February 2012 at 11:04

    1. yes
    2. i definatley feel more informed
    3. i think that i could because of the information provided in this blog
    4. certainly, because the charity helps those who were ufortunate enough to come into contact with the disease and make their lives better for those who were badly affected by meningitis
    5. i would defintately alert them about the symptoms as anyone can get meningitis therefore it is important to know the symptoms to spot the disease early.

    Well done, your blog was informtaive and very well presented.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous25 February 2012 at 13:26

    1)Yes, but not very much about it
    2) I now feel more informed
    3) I think I would recognise a symptom of meningitis
    4) Yes, I would definitely donate to the Meningitis Trust because of your blog and also because of that fantastic video!
    5) Yes, I have passed on the video link!

    Well done on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous26 February 2012 at 19:37

    1) I have heard of meningitis but not really about what it was
    2) Yes, I do
    3) I think I would most likely be able to recognise the symptoms of meningitis now I have read this informative blog
    4) Yes, reading your blog and watching your video, has influenced me to give at least a small donation to Meningitis Trust
    5) Yes, I think I would

    Broome, Australia

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous26 March 2012 at 15:43

    Your blog was very informative and i will most likely donate in the future! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous28 March 2012 at 17:36

    1) yes but not in much detail, i had heard of the meningitis trust though.
    2) Yes i do now feel more informed.
    3)Possibly, i would have to look back at the details.
    4) Yes
    5) Yes i would.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous31 March 2012 at 10:39

    Very good blog post, thank you. My brother had a bad case of meningitis a short while back, and I know how hard it is to both the patient and their family to cope with. We are lucky that we spotted the symptoms (sore neck and spinal paralysis) but we also know that some people are not as lucky. Thank you for spreading awareness.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous8 May 2012 at 11:43

    hi Ellie & Vicky,
    your work is fantastic .it helped me to know about it's symptoms clearly by you pictorial representation .

    1-yeah,i had heard about meningitis before.
    2-yes.
    3-i feel i can recognize the symptoms.
    4-i will surely donate when i start earning.
    5-yeah surely.
    priyanka verma
    India.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous10 September 2012 at 10:10

    Hi
    I think that this charity is really a worthy cause to support and this charity changes lives. I thought that the video about Harvey and what meningitis can do was heart breaking. I am definitely going to support this charity in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous9 February 2013 at 12:47

    i had heard of meningitis before
    yes
    i think i recognise the symptoms now
    i would definetly would donate

    ReplyDelete
  27. Unknown5 October 2013 at 06:47

    I know this is an old story but I just came across it. I can relate to what this boy and his family would be going through. I say that because back in 1987 I had meningitis also and also had to have my arms and legs amputated at about the same place this boy did.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous7 October 2013 at 04:15

    I see this was posted in 2011 at some point, but I just came across it. I can understand what the kid and his family is going through, I had meningitis back in 87 and had my arms and legs amputated around the same area.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous13 March 2014 at 10:05

    this is an amazing blog well done!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous18 March 2014 at 20:05

    I had heard of meningitis before but I didn't know the signs
    yes
    yes
    yes, definitely
    yes
    I am so sorry to hear about Harvey and what his family are going through :(

    Jess
    Torquay

    ReplyDelete

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