Urgent warning for students in England: Meningitis cases are on the rise

New data has shown that deadly meningitis B cases have increased to pre-coronavirus levels.

Rates for university students are extremely high, and they are currently higher than they were in 2018.

Meningitis can be deadly and experts have warned that there has been a sharp increase in cases

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Meningitis can cause death and experts warn that it is on the rise.Credit: Getty Images – Contributor

Meningitis B is a serious condition that can lead to death in 24 hours.

Meningitis B, the bacteria that causes it, is found in the nose and throat. It can be spread by close contact through coughing and sneezing.

Many times, signs of the virus look like a hangover. This is why many university students have difficulty recognizing when they are sick. Students often attend events that are specifically designed for them, and most of these events involve alcohol.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), IMD cases increased in young adults with group B between September 2021 and November 2021.

The 11-page analysis examined the most recent data on the illness and found that 41.5 percentage of cases occurred during this time period in people aged 15 to 19.

This compares to the 11.8 percent and 14.2 percent recorded in the same period of 2018 and 2019.

The paper was seen by The GuardianAccording to a study, 84.6 percent of confirmed cases were between the ages of 15-24.

Rates were at an historic low until September 2013. Experts warn that the recent uptick could have been caused by a lockdown rebound.

Linda Glennie, Director of Research, Evidence and Policy at theMeningitis Research FoundationThe report’s evidence is worth highlighting, he said.

She explained that, although the increase in cases seemed to be small, it can have devastating consequences for those who contract meningitis. It is therefore important to keep an eye on any indications of a rebound.

“The UKHSA data revealed that students living on campus have a higher chance of developing meningococcal illness than their peers.

“It is vital that students, young adults and their families be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with meningitis or septicaemia.

“Meningitis progresses rapidly, so it’s critical to alert someone if ill, and to seek urgent medical advice”She added.

Meningitis: What you should know about it

Meningitis symptoms appear suddenly and can include:

  • A fever greater than 37.5°C – The average human temperature
  • being sick
  • A headache
  • A blotchy rash that won’t go away when you roll a glass over it
  • Steadiness, especially around the neck
  • Bright lights can cause sensitivity
  • Drowsiness, irritability, or lack of energy
  • Cold feet and hands
  • seizures

Meningitis rash usually appears as small red pinpricks.

However, it can spread throughout the body and become red or purple blotches.

If the rash does not disappear, then it could be a sign that you have blood poisoning.

The lockdown required that everyone stay inside and adhere to social distancing guidelines. This changed the university experience for students.

This meant that not many people were exposed to meningococcal. It also meant that younger populations could be suffering from an ‘immunity deficit’.

According to the report, lower immunity levels could have contributed to an increase in cases.

Experts stated however that further research is needed to determine if the pandemic has affected the virus’ transmissibility.

One of the UKHSA paper’s authors said it was crucial that these early data be kept under surveillance.

Professor Ray Borrow said that Covid reactions had reduced ‘natural circulatory’, thus preventing both the benefits of and harms from exposure to these bacteria. This could lead to a dearth of immune stimulation in the population.

Experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), previously discovered that students aged 18-24 were 3.5 times more likely than peers to contract meningitis.

Meningitis can be prevented by vaccinations. It is important that you inoculate all children.

The NHS says that the meningitis B vaccine is a vaccine that offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children in the UK.

The vaccine is recommended for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks and a booster at 1 year.

24-year-old woman had her legs and arms amputated following horror meningitis. She uses a robotic prosthetic.

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