What is Meningitis?
The term meningitis refers to inflammation of the coverings and linings of the brain and is caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is generally much more serious that viral meningitis and is almost always fatal without appropriate antibiotic therapy. However, the incidence of bacterial meningitis is rapidly reducing due to the widespread use of the Hib and meningococcus vaccines.
The bacteria responsible for meningitis reach the brain by spreading through the bloodstream from an initial site of infection, commonly the nose or throat. Almost all bacterial meningitis is caused by just 3 bacteria – haemophilus, meningococcus and pneumococcus, although All these are commonly found in the nose and throat of entirely healthy people and, for reasons that are not fully understood , occasionally get into the blood stream. If the body's own defences do not stop the infection at this point septicaemia (blood poisoning) can occur. This is potentially very dangerous and the toxins produced by the bacteria can do a great deal of damage to organs and tissues. If the infection reaches the brain it causes meningitis.
Young children are at particular risk as they will not have encountered the bacteria before and will therefore have no immunity to them. In the first days and weeks of life when immune defences are immature the risk of meningitis is higher than at any other age. However, at this age the bacteria most usually causing the trouble are -streptococcus B, E coli and listeria. These are all commonly found in the mother's lower bowel and birth canal.
The classical signs and symptoms of meningitis are fever, shaking chills, vomiting, stiff neck, photophobia (dislike of the light), headache, irritability and confusion, seizures, and in more advanced case, extreme drowsiness progressing to coma. There may also be abdominal and muscle pain and a rash. This rash consists of tiny red or brown pin prick spots that do not fade when pressed firmly with a glass tumbler.
In young infants meningitis is often very hard to distinguish from other, less serious, conditions. Part of the reason for this is that many of the classical features of meningitis are symptoms rather than signs, and a small baby cannot, of course, tell anyone she has a headache or is distressed by the light. Also, vomiting in small babies is so common it is often insignificant.
Because meningitis is so difficult to diagnose in a young infant, and because a delay in diagnosis can have such catastrophic effects, the possibility of meningitis should always be considered when faced with a sick baby.
Medical Negligence Compensation Claims for Medical Negligence
Claiming damages for clinical negligence is a specialist area of law which requires solicitors who have specific training and experience in medical negligence compensation claims. JMW Medical Negligence Solicitors have one of the most experienced and respected medical negligence compensation claims teams in the United Kingdom. We offer a free advice on medical negligence law, whether you have a good case and how much your compensation might be worth. We are able to deal with cases using legal aid or the no win no fee scheme in appropriate cases. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice session.
JMW Solicitors have one of the most experienced and respected medical and clinical negligence compensation claims teams in the UK. We are able to deal with cases using public funding (formerly Legal Aid) or No Win No Fee in appropriate cases. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice session.
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