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Three school children have died in the last three weeks in three different schools south of Johannesburg. The children are suspected to have contracted Meningitis. Although government says there’s no need to panic, Sowetan Online set out to enquire about the contagious illness and what you can do to prevent it.
According to a report by the Health Department and the Australian-based Stephen Sanig Foundation, the Meningococcal disease takes two forms: Meningococcal Septicemia and Meningococcal Meningitis.
Meningococcal Septicemia (blood poisoning) is more deadly as it happens when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply uncontrollably, damaging the walls of the blood vessels, causing bleeding into the skin. Septicaemia can lead to death within hours or cause permanent disabilities such as scars and amputations.
This illness is associated with a purple rash, which sometimes does not appear until the disease is quite advanced. The rash is caused by bleeding from the bloodstream causing the blood to pool underneath the skin. The bleeding occurs when blood vessels are damaged by the release of endotoxin in large quantities.
If the bacteria are in the meninges (the thin covering of the brain and spinal cord), the disease is known as Meningococcal Meningitis.
There are many different forms of meningitis which are not as serious but still need urgent medical attention.
Prevention is best
Dr Lucille Bloomberg of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases suggests that you check your children’s vaccination routine, which should include immunization against Tuberculosis meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae, Pneumococcal meningitis and meningococcal.
Who is susceptible?
"If an adult suspects that they may be suffering from the symptoms, get to the doctor as quickly as possible," advised Dr. Bloomberg.
Young children under the age of 5, adolescents and young adults between 15- and 24-years-old are mostly affected. However, anyone can catch meningococcal disease at any age and at any time.
Even if you pick up the bacteria, it does not mean you will become ill.
The danger only occurs if you pick up a strain you are not immunised against, or do not have any natural immunity to - or if your immune system is for some reason weakened and cannot cope.
How the bacteria is spread:
By saliva in activities such as sneezing, coughing or kissing, and sharing food or drinks.
In environments where people are in close contact, such as day-care centres, school camps, parties and nightclubs.
General ways to protect yourself:
1. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
2. Passive smoking may increase risk (exhaled smoke contains saliva droplets).
3. Don’t share drinks, ice creams, food or eating utensils.
4. Don’t place a baby’s dummy in your mouth (not only for protection against meningococcal disease but also to protect the baby from the many other bacteria that we carry naturally in our throat.
5. Don’t share lipsticks, lip gloss etc.
6. Don’t share toothbrushes.
Sowetan Online
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