Symptoms of Meningitis

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Meningitis can affect anyone, but it is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

The bacteria that cause meningitis can spread through common adolescent and young adult behaviours like kissing, sharing a drink or food, or even just

hanging out in crowded areas.

If you travel to countries where meningococcal meningitis is more common you could be exposed to the bacteria.

At its peak, up to one in five adolescents and young adults can carry the bacteria that leads to meningococcal meningitis, but you can’t tell who because

it can be carried in the throat without causing symptoms.

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How is Meningitis spread?*

Common social behaviours and environmental factors can promote the spread of the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis:

Kissing

Smoking

Being in crowded places

Living in close quarters

Sharing cutlery, drinks & toothbrushes

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Although infants and young children (younger than 5 years of age) can get meningococcal meningitis most often, in many countries there is a second peak of the disease at 15-24 years of age. Adolescents and young adults are also more likely, without showing symptoms, to carry the bacteria that causes meningitis.

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Protecting yourself & your family

You can reduce the likelihood of contracting meningococcal disease by being aware of the risks and limiting your exposure to the common routes of infection. 

You can also be more proactive by being vaccinated. 

Vaccines are available to help protect against the most common groups (ACWY and B) of meningococcal bacteria5, but there is no single vaccine that helps to protect against the four groups that cause the majority of meningococcal disease in England.

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There is no single vaccine that protects against all types of meningococcal bacteria – at least two vaccines are needed. These include one vaccine covering A, C, W and Y groups, and one vaccine covering the B group.

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Reasons to get Vaccinated

Meningitis can be fatal within 24 hours.

The bacteria that causes meningitis can spread via normal behaviours, like kissing or sharing drinks.

Vaccines are available to help protect against the most common groups (ACWY and B) of meningococcal bacteria.

It can be hard for doctors to recognise the early symptoms of meningitis; it can look like the flu.

Even if you survive meningitis, you can be left with long-term medical disabilities.

Meningitis is uncommon but unpredictable and can be fatal; why risk it when vaccination can help prevent it?

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Getting yourself vaccinated:

In September 2015, Meningitis B vaccinations were introduced to the routine immunisation schedule of babies and young children. However, teenagers and young adults will not have had access to them routinely on the NHS.

You can help to protect yourself through a simple course of Meningitis B vaccinations at your local  Reid’s Pharmacy. You can choose between having two (at 0 and 6 months) or three (at 0, 1 and 5 months) vaccinations.

Our specially trained pharmacists will assess you for suitability for the vaccine by asking a short series of questions. If suitable, they will then explain the process, possible side effects** and finally administer the vaccine into your upper arm if you are happy to go ahead.

They will then arrange your next appointment for you to receive your second vaccine.

If you would like to know more or make an appointment for a vaccination, contact your local Reid’s Pharmacy offering this service. Please call ahead to book your first appointment.

Please note there will be a charge for this service, please contact Reid’s Pharmacy for more information. 

 

Meningitis can be FATAL in 24 Hours

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