I WAS interested to read the story headlined "Brain bug battle targets toddlers" (BuryTimes, Jan 21) and pleased to see that you mentioned that this new meningitis vaccine only protects against meningococcal meningitis Group C, but unfortunately does not offer any protection against the most common bacterial strain of meningitis - meningococcal Group B.
Meningococcal infection causes two distinct forms of disease - meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia. Someone who is suffering from meningococcal septicaemia may not develop meningitis and would not necessarily have the common symptoms associated with meningitis.
Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that everyone concerned is aware of the common symptoms of meningitis and those that may exist with meningococcal septicaemia.
For further information regarding the common symptoms of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia, I urge readers to contact me at Spencer Dayman Meningitis Laboratories fundraising office, 592 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3DA (tel: 0117 9020072).
STEVE DAYMAN,
operations officer.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article