World Meningitis Day to be observed tomorrow

The first annual World Meningitis Day will be observed tomorrow to create awareness about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of meningitis.

"Meningitis, if not detected and treated in time, can lead to hearing loss, blindness, loss of normal body functions and sometimes death," said Dr Nitin Shah, chairperson of the India chapter of Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention (ASAP).

He welcomed the move to raise awareness about the disease among parents by marking April 25 as the World Meningitis Day by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations.

Dr Shah said parents should seek immediate medical help if they saw some of these symptoms like fever combined with cold hands and feet, fretful - not wanting to be picked up or held; blank and staring expression; drowsy and difficult to wake; stiff neck and arched back and high pitch cry, refusal to feed, or convulsion.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain lining, or meninges.

It is caused by either bacteria or virus. Viral meningitis is more common. The disease can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing or contact with some patient.

"Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics but it is important to catch the disease early," Dr Shah said and added that children are more at risk.

Vaccines are available in India against two common bacteria that can cause meningitis - Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine prevents meningitis caused by the measles and mumps viruses.

ASAP was formed in December 2007 in Seoul, South Korea, by a group of healthcare professionals who recognize the need for greater urgency in creating awareness and tackling the challenge of Pneumococcal Disease through vaccination programmes. The objective of ASAP-India chapter is to collate and disseminate available data on disease epidemiology within the region, to create awareness and engage with policy makers regarding the importance of pneumococcal disease and its prevention.