1. Short summary / abstract
This document provides information about meningitis, its symptoms and the campaigns that have been organised to help fight the disease. It also provides information on the more life threatening form of the disease, meningococcal septicaemia.
Contents include: -
· What is meningitis
· Types of meningitis
· Recognising meningococcal disease
· Raising awareness among young people and students
· The meningitis C campaign
· Reducing the impact of group C meningococcal infection in young people
· Group B meningococcal infection
· Group A and Group W135 strains of meningococcal disease
· Travellers to Hajj or Umrah
· What else can be done?
· Links to other information such as immunisation website, Meningitis Trust, Meningitis Research Foundation and HPA
Individual content pages can be accessed and printed out for professionals to use as a guide when talking to patients or the general public on specific topics.
2. What question is the document addressing?
This document provides information about meningitis, its symptoms and the campaigns that have been organised to help fight the disease. It also provides information on the more life threatening form of the disease, meningococcal septicaemia.
3. Type of study
Fact sheets, public leaflets
4. Methods valid & appropriate?
Yes
Comments:
useful, brief summary of the facts on different aspects of meningitis
5. Results / recommendations reliable?
Yes: much of the information taken from previous campaign literature and contains some useful leaflets for young people and the public in general.
6. Any major problems and biases?
References not included but access via links to other websites for more in-depth information and evidence is available.
7. Any other important / relevant studies which confirm or contradict?
1. Department of Health – Immunisation Web Directory http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/Immunisation
2. Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease 1996 – “The Green Book” http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/GreenBook/GreenBookGeneralInformation/GreenBookGeneralArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4097254&chk=isTfGX
3. Department of Health, Health Advice for Travellers http://www.dh.gov.uk/policyandguidance/healthadvicefortravellers/fs/en
8. Keywords
Meningitis meningococcal disease group C group A group B meningococcal infection Travellers to Hajj or Umrah
Reviewer's Details:
| Name: | Sue Wiseman |
| Post: | Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH |
Affiliations
(Society / Organisation / Advisory Committee): | Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T
Member Infection Control Nurses Association |
*** Note: These are the views of a professional expert rather than an official statement from his or her society, organisation or advisory committee.