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Stopping Meningitis
Meningitis can be easily mistaken for the flu because the initial symptoms such as a headache, fever, and stiff neck are similar. Meningitis though can kill in hours so it is important to recognize the symptoms, act swiftly and not to delay treatment. Reduce your risks by getting you and your children vaccinated. Learn about […]
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Still Critical
Eventhough COVID-19 has tragically impacted all aspects of life’s routines especially those of our children. With shelter in place, there is also a sharp decline in the usually scheduled childhood and teenage vaccinations. Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D, states, “Skipping or delaying these important immunizations, especially in early childhood, can create severe waves of preventable disease outbreaks […]
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Hospital Sued
The parents of 7-month-old Blaize Wheeldon, who died from meningitis @ Silverton Medical Center in Salem, Oregon are suing the hospital for $6.3 million. They accuse the hospital staff of medical negligence and the negligent infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit states, “Blaize showed significant signs and symptoms of systemic meningococcemia when he was first […]
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Silver Lining
Erica Tambrini, 34 year old occupational therapist from Indiana USA, had both legs below the knee and both arms below the elbow amputated due to meningitis and sepsis. She feared she may never find love or become a mum as her appearance had dramatically changed. But now she gleams with pride as she has a […]
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Back Home
Luke Mortimer, a seven-year-old Skipton boy, lost his hands and legs to meningococcal meningitis A rugby player, he is back home after a five-month hospital stay during which he had 23 operations. The family faced further challenges during his time in hospital because of the corona virus pandemic with only Luke’s mother Christine allowed to […]
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History Proves
The coronavirus has brought the world & its economies to a halt so the subject of vaccines is in the spotlight again. As early as 1000 CE, it is believed that the Chinese employed smallpox inoculation In the 1796, Edward Jenner is credited with creating the first vaccine with his use of material from cowpox […]
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Vaccine Approved
US FDA approved MenQuadfi, the first quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine aged two years and above. The vaccine uses tetanus toxoid as a protein carrier and formulated as a ready-to-use liquid product. Sanofi Pasteur executive vice-president David Loew said, “Meningococcal meningitis remains a major global health challenge because it can strike quickly and with devastating effect, taking […]
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Re-vaccination Needed
A new study “New Zealand Meningococcal Market Research 2019” commissioned by GSK, has found a lack of understanding about the need to vaccinate against the disease. New Zealand is heading into “peak season” for the devastating disease and it cannot be overlooked due to the coronavirus pandemic. Expert say, “People aged 13 to 29 who were immunised during […]
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World Meningitis Day is April 24
Even though we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic devastating lives around the globe, awareness efforts on World Meningitis Day is still happening this April 24! Meningococcal Meningitis affects anyone, more than 2.8 million people globally each year with teenagers and college students ages 16 through 21 have the highest rates. One in five […]
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Some Similarities
Meningitis & encephalitis though different, both conditions involve inflammation and can be dangerous. Dr. Katie L. Hendley, a neurologist with Covenant Medical Group in Lubbock, Texas, “encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself, most often caused by infection. Whereas meningitis affects the membrane that covers the outside of the brain and the spinal cord.” Because encephalitis […]
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