World Meningitis Day

World Meningitis Day is observed annually on April 24th with millions of participants around the world to raise awareness of meningitis, a disease that can tragically take a life in under 24 hours.

What should you know?

Meningitis can strike anyone and at any age – it can cause death within hours and lifelong disability.

Meningitis epidemics can be rapidly evolving with serious health, economic and social consequences.

Meningitis is a medical emergency to be treated quickly.

Symptoms of meningitis may include:

◦ Stiff neck;

◦ Fever;

◦ Sensitivity to light;

◦ Confusion and drowsiness;

◦ Headache;

◦ Vomiting;

◦ Rash;

◦ Convulsions;

◦ Infants can:

   - Bulging fontanelle (soft spot)

   - Lethargic and unresponsive

◦ All of these symptoms are not proven to be infected in a certain order.

The meningococcal, pneumococcal, and Haemophilus influenza type b vaccines protect against common causes of meningitis. We need new vaccines as a remedy over the next decade.

Meningitis is the key cause leading diseases relating to neurologic affecting throughout lifetime. The Defeating Meningitis Global Road Map addresses it by prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

By 2030, countries have committed to:

◦ eliminate the epidemic of bacterial meningitis;

◦ 50% meningitis cases are reduced by using vaccine in order to prevent bacterial and 70% deaths are reduced;

◦ reduce disability and improve quality of life for meningitis survivors.

History of World Meningitis Day

Worldwide Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO) established World Meningitis Day in the beginning in 2008 in order to widely promote meningitis, how it is detected, and what causes it. It is also a chance to show honor the key role of vaccines.

An inflammation of the membranes covers the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis. Each year, meningitis causes more than 1 million people affected in the world.

There are three main types of meningitis infections: bacterial, viral, and environmental. Infection is by far the most common cause of meningitis and is caused by many different types of germs: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Consequences can be life-changing and can include: memory loss, deafness, vision loss, seizures, paralysis, and loss of limbs, organ damage, and brain damage.

How to celebrate World Meningitis Day

Learn more about meningitis and its symptoms. The Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO) informed that save a life is the most important. It becomes worse very quickly and can be fatal within hours. In fact, vaccines are effective in prevent the risk of disease; however, meningitis cannot be prevented with vaccines. Learn more by visiting MeningitisNow on Facebook. Use the hashtag such as #MeningitisNow, #MeningitisDay or #WorldMeningitisDay to follow up on social media.