Someone we know back home just died of meningitis which brings me to the question that how do you prevent the transmission of this potentially deadly disease?
What are some key symptoms?
Re: Meningitis
Sorry to hear that, may Allah bring that person peace after Death.
I am curious too about Meningitis, I checked Wikipedia and too much info bamboozled me.
Re: Meningitis
There's 2 types, viral meningitis which is slower in terms of the symptoms presenting themselves, and bacterial meningitis which if not treated immediately, can be fatal. It is a disease of the membranes in the brain and spine I believe. Someone with better medical knowledge can shed some light here.
Re: Meningitis
inna lil lah e wa inna ilayhee rajiun
The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia).
Above taken off from Wikipedia
Re: Meningitis
vaccine is the best prevention. the high risk is usually the high schoo/college age kids and I think most univeristies now require meningitis vaccine like other immunizations.
Re: Meningitis
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon...my grandfather passed away due to meningitis as well.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges which is the tissue membrane surrounding the brain, the inflammation can be caused by various things including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
There are quite a few symptoms depending on what form of the disease it is, like ChunkyMonkey mentioned the main symptoms are headaches, a stiff neck, aversion to light (photophobia) and high fever. People suffering with meningitis can also develop a rash on their skin which is caused by blood leaking through the tissues. In order to determine whether this rash is due to meningitis you can perform a simple 'glass test'. This is where you press the side of a glass onto the rash and if the rash doesn't disappaear under the pressure of the glass then it's a good idea to seek medical attention.
I think vaccinations are the main way to protect against meningitis.
Re: Meningitis
Ok guys this is freaking me out... Do I really have eczema or is it meningitis? :S Daktacort has not helped me at all!!! The skin rash is still there and has spread a bit more.... I haven't done the glass test but I know this rash won't disappear when a glass is put against it... I get headaches very often so thats nothing strange but I did have a fever last weekend when this rash started appearing..... photophobia/stiff neck, not really... I'm so going to the GP again on Monday....
And Niks, I'm so sorry to hear that!
Re: Meningitis
ILWIR.
Good question.
Personal hygiene is very important. Not only for this disease but in general for many diseases.
Washing hands after going to bathroom and cleaning utensils etc. are the basics.
Kissing, sharing few personal items like lipsticks etc. may cause spread. Coughing/sneezing should be covered.
TB is common in certain parts of the world and can cause meningitis. Bad one.
Children and elderly or those with low immunity are at greater risk. Schools, nursing homes etc. can be the source.
Any [fever, headache and neck stiffness]..meaning if neck cannot be bend forward or causes pain in back of head should make one suspicious.
Carriers of virus may not have symptoms themselves but may still spread the virus. They may have diarreah only.
Skin rash occurs in only certain types of meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis can be treated but viral cannot be cured. Best option is timely vaccination to prevent it.
Diagnosis is by tapping fluid (CSF) by a needle between back bones, if possible. Most of the time treatment is given without waiting for results from lab.
Meningismus is something different since it is only inflammation of lining without infection but may present the similar way.
Re: Meningitis
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon...my grandfather passed away due to meningitis as well.
May he got to Jannah inshAllah! :)
I had no idea this was so serious! I had heard of it before but...
Barbie, use the potency level in cream as maximum then see if it works or not. With extreme eczema a cream with a low potency of steroid level will NOT work, at least it didn't for me
Use it as maximum and then see if it helps or not. Obviously ask your G.P first!
Re: Meningitis
Barbie, is the rash underneath the skin or above it? I hope this makes sense but if it’s a rash associated with meningitis then it’ll be underneath the skin due to blood leaking out. However, eczema tends to be a rash on the epidermis (uppermost skin layer)
Don’t worry hun, it’s best to go to your doctors to get it checked out as soon as possible 
i’A 
Re: Meningitis
May he got to Jannah inshAllah! :)
I had no idea this was so serious! I had heard of it before but...
Barbie, use the potency level in cream as maximum then see if it works or not. With extreme eczema a cream with a low potency of steroid level will NOT work, at least it didn't for me
Use it as maximum and then see if it helps or not. Obviously ask your G.P first!
If you had real meningitis (nauz) with rash you would be very sick. Rash and fever has many many reasons one of them is simple strep. They may not even be related in your case. Still, please see a physician.
Re: Meningitis
Syraa the rash seems to be on the skin, not underneath... and I'm not really sick, like diwana is describing... just itchy .. so I think I was just over-reacting t'is not meningitis, just eczema (hopefully!)... and Shak, yeah the GP is going to be prescribing me a stronger cream this time... Hopefully that'll work... Daktacort just helps with the itching, it hasn't done anything to control the rash or reduce the redness etc...
Re: Meningitis
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon...my grandfather passed away due to meningitis as well.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges which is the tissue membrane surrounding the brain, the inflammation can be caused by various things including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
There are quite a few symptoms depending on what form of the disease it is, like ChunkyMonkey mentioned the main symptoms are headaches, a stiff neck, aversion to light (photophobia) and high fever. People suffering with meningitis can also develop a rash on their skin which is caused by blood leaking through the tissues. In order to determine whether this rash is due to meningitis you can perform a simple 'glass test'. This is where you press the side of a glass onto the rash and if the rash doesn't disappaear under the pressure of the glass then it's a good idea to seek medical attention.
I think vaccinations are the main way to protect against meningitis.
Sara this kind of rash can be caused by a variety of illnesses, basically anyone which causes increased bleeding tendency. Glass test hence does not mean one has meningitis.
Re: Meningitis
Prevention is through good hygiene, vaccination and if you have had a contact with a patient of menigitis, taking prophylactic antibiotics.
Re: Meningitis
Another question: could the chances of such skin infections be increased if one works in a lab environment? 
probably doesn’t make sense because labs are especially kept clean and free of any form of bacteria but ur still surrounded by all sorts of solvents/powders all the time… and on top of that, ur wearing all the PPE so ur skin is hardly breathing … ?
Re: Meningitis
Yes. Strep causes scarlet fever with rash for example.
Working in environment like this certainly increases chances of some skin problems. Not necessarily infection but chemical related diseases including allergies/eczema. People can be allergic to gloves also. Latex or powder allergy is one. Latex or powder free gloves are available for these individuals.
Even washing with soaps or detergents can cause problems to some people.
Re: Meningitis
WOW! Amazing information. I've got to say that we having an amazing team of members out here. Thanks so much.
Barbie, go see a doc, but I think your condition is more of a skin condition, not a neurological one.
Re: Meningitis
You fast so maybe you get headaches due to that. You’ve pretty much got eczema on the same places I did so i’m guessing it isn’t. Chill larki 
Re: Meningitis
Thanks diwana… I’m blaming it all on the fact that I’ve been spending over 15 hours a week in labs for the last four years!
Well.. not really… there’s obviously other factors involved… These dumb Irish GPs know nothing! 
Niks and MKD: Yes I’m just panicking 
I just want this thing to leave my body forever!!!
Re: Meningitis
It seems your skin is just sensitve..nazuk.
One way is to see if you get better if take a few days leave.
People with certain job related diseases feel better on weekend or on more days off and develop problems when they go back to work.
Household items may be problem too. Like make up items, bleach or other cleaning chemicals.