Meningitis Now is on a mission to arm young people with the knowledge they need to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis and save lives.
The charity have created a new student awareness film which highlights the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis and getting help, fast.
The film features 18-year-old Eliana, from Bromley in Kent, who was in her first year at university when she fell ill with bacterial meningitis. It’s thanks to the quick thinking of her flatmates, Sam and Maya, that she got the help she needed.
The friends found Eliana seriously unwell in her halls of residence and immediately phoned her parents who contacted campus security. They realised the severity of Eliana’s condition and took her straight to hospital.
Eliana had developed a rash and was hallucinating by the time she got to hospital. She was sent to ICU and given three different drugs to tackle possible types of meningitis before results showed she had MenB, the most common form of meningitis in students.
Fortunately, Eliana has made a good recovery though she still manages after-effects of meningitis like fluid around her heart and concentration problems.
Eliana says; “Understanding the signs and symptoms of meningitis could potentially be lifesaving, especially in the context of university life in student accommodation.
“I am eternally grateful for my parents and flatmates and all the doctors and nurses that helped me, as I might not be here without them.”
Latest figures show that the total number of cases of bacterial meningitis has risen since the same period (Jan-March) last year. MenB accounted for over 80% of cases, with 20% occurring in the 15-24 year old age group.
Meningitis Now hears stories every week of how the fast action of friends and family saved young people’s lives. 15-24 year olds, especially those starting university, are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, which can kill within hours.
Chief Executive Dr Tom Nutt said; “It is vital that young people know what to do in a meningitis emergency – but vaccination is the only way to prevent meningitis.
“MenB is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in young people in the UK, and latest figures show cases are on the rise. Despite this, young people are not currently offered the lifesaving MenB vaccine – leaving thousands unprotected.”
Meningitis Now is campaigning for the MenB vaccine to be made more widely available on the NHS.
The ‘No Plan B for MenB’ campaign calls for three things:
- The MenB vaccination to be given to all those at most risk of disease.
- A MenB booster programme to protect adolescents from 2030.
- Availability of MenB vaccination on the high street at a fair price.
Meningitis Now is calling for supporters to sign up to the campaign at their website www.meningitisnow.org/noplanb
Student awareness video featuring Eliana’s story – https://youtu.be/TD1HYMLPYPc
