Eradicate meningitis programs usually have two-pronged strategy - one focuses on generating awareness and the other on finding a cure. At present, there is no vaccination or cure that can treat all forms of meningitis. Therefore, if we are serious about eradicating this dreadful disease, we have to equally focus on generating awareness about this disease.

It is a disease that can kill within four hours of striking. It is a disease that can affect any age group and people of all races and ethnicity. It is a disease that if not treated on time can lead to death and cause serious disability in those who survive it.

Caused By Bacteria And Virus

It is an infection that can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The bacterial infection is more severe. However, eradicate meningitis programs give equal importance to both viral and bacterial forms.

In medical terms, it is a condition in which the meninx, which is the protective membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord, becomes inflamed. It is usually due to an infection that the meninges become inflamed.

Septicaemia is a term that is usually associated with meninges. This is rightly so because Septicaemia is caused by the same bacteria that causes meningitis.

Two Types Of Bacterial Disease

There are two types of bacterial disease that eradicate meningitis programmes highlight. Meningococcal and pneumococcal are the two bacterial forms of this disease. Of these two, meningococcal is the most common form found in the United Kingdom.

Meningococcal is caused by three different strains of bacteria. They are referred to as group A, B, and C. Of these three groups, the B strain is quite common in the United Kingdom.

Symptoms

Since the disease can kill within a couple of hours, it is important to understand the symptoms associated with it, which are as follows:

* Fever
* Vomiting
* Stiff neck
* Headache
* Sensitivity to light
* Drowsiness
* Rashes that may resemble red pinpricks. The rashes might develop into blood spots or blood blisters.

In babies, the symptoms of meningitis may also include:

* Blue or blotchy skin
* Shivering
* Labored breathing
* Vomiting
* Refusing to eat
* Cold feet or hands
* Stiff body

Besides generating awareness about this dreadful disease, eradicate meningitis programs are also focusing on raising money through charity and fundraising to develop vaccines. There is no single vaccine that offers protection against all strains of this disease.

In the United Kingdom, there is no vaccine against MenB, which is responsible for 90% of the cases. However, serious efforts are being made to raise money through Meningitis fundraising events to fund researches across the country and globe.

It was due to the serious efforts of charities and various organisations that a vaccine for MenC was developed. It has been more than 10 years since MenC vaccine was introduced into the Childhood Immunization schedule. And since then, experts have noted 99% reduction in MenC cases in the United Kingdom. Before 1999, there were more than 1,000 cases of MenC in the United Kingdom, and 10% of these cases resulted in death.

Meningitis charity and fundraising organisations are all hoping to find a cure for this dreadful disease, which kills millions of people around the globe every year.