Meningitis C jab saves lives

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a disease that causes swelling around the brain. It can be very serious and needs urgent treatment. It is caused by an infection, which can be bacterial or viral. Meningitis caused by bacteria is more serious, with viral meningitis being a milder illness for most people.

The bacteria that cause meningitis are called meningococcal bacteria. There are several types, the most common being types B and C.

Meningococcal bacteria can cause blood poisoning (septicaemia) as well as meningitis. Both of these conditions can be dangerous, but they're not common. About 5 in 100,000 people get these infections each year in the UK. Almost all these cases are caused by meningococcal bacteria belonging to types B or C.

Meningitis C killed 78 people in 1998. But in 1999, the MenC vaccine was introduced in the UK, which protects against meningitis C. Since then, there has been a 97 percent drop in the number of under-20s getting this illness.

Who should have the vaccine?

The MenC vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisations that are given in the UK. Babies should have three injections, usually at 2 months, 3 months and 4 months. Babies between 5 months and 1 year old who miss these immunisations can have two doses given a month apart, or they can have three doses.

All children and young adults under 25 should also be immunised. So should all first year university students. These people will only need one dose.

You may also be given the MenC vaccine if you've been in contact with someone who has meningococcal meningitis.

What should I do if I think someone has meningitis?

The people most at risk of meningitis are babies under 12 months, teenagers between 15 and 18, and first-year university students living in halls of residence. It's important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis, as it needs urgent treatment.

Some of the symptoms are easily mistaken for a milder illness, like a cold or flu. Meningitis can cause a high temperature, a headache a stiff neck or nausea. But some of the symptoms can be warning signs. Get medical help urgently if your child or a friend at university gets any of these symptoms:

• A severe dislike of light
• Confusion, disorientation or a loss of consciousness
• A rash that doesn't go away when you press on it. The easiest way to tell is to roll a drinking glass over the rash.

Meningitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics, and sometimes steroids too. Treatment is also recommended for people who've had close contact with someone who has meningitis, such as anyone who lives in the same house, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or students sharing a hall of residence.