Sponsored by Pfizer.
I want to share some important information I’ve recently discovered about meningitis with you all in the hope that you’ll take action and protect your children from this dreadful disease.
Whilst I was familiar about the warning signs in babies and toddlers thanks to videos and coverage in mainstream press and online, I was completely unaware that up to 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults can carry the bacteria that leads to the disease.
Although rare, meningitis can go from first symptoms to death within 24 hours and it’s our job as parents to protect our children. The bacteria that causes meningitis can spread from person to person via things like living in close quarters, kissing, coughing and sharing cups. Which as you know, teenagers are more likely to engage with than the rest of us.
Not everyone gets a rash either so it can be hard to tell the difference between cold or flu and the early symptoms of meningitis. If in doubt, always seek medical attention.
Furthermore, 10-20% of people who survive the disease can be left with after-effects like amputation and
skin scarring. It’s a scary thought.
If you think you’re at risk or your teens might be, please get advice immediately from a healthcare professional as it can become serious quickly.
Whilst you can’t change everything in life, vaccination is something you and I have the power to act on and it’s something I’ll be doing for my two sons to protect them when they might be most vulnerable.
Do watch my video below and check out 24youhavethepower’s website.
This is a sponsored campaign but as always, my thoughts are honest.
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All teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccination on the NHS aren’t they? Unless that has changed in the last couple of years? I know your children are much younger so maybe you wouldn’t have been aware of the programme but if I remember rightly all 14-18 year olds are offered it.
I am so with you on this. But hadn’t realised that adolescents were at risk so definitely something I will be checking out. It is such a devastating disease – very close family friends lost their son to meningitis as even though they took their child to the doctors, it wasn’t diagnosed in time. So, so sad. Thanks for sharing this – I think every parent needs to read this and act. xx
Oh Nomita, I am so sorry, a devastating illness xx
I have seen the effects of meningitis first hand on a baby who survived but became deaf. It’s such a dangerous and deadly disease and it’s better to be safe than sorry. When Sylvia was a baby I was encouraged to give her extra vaccinations due to her Polynesian heritage and I’ve never regretted it! Great post!
Well this has been an education. I didn’t even know you could get a vaccination against meningitis! I shall be checking out the link in your post as this is entirely new information to me and clearly something, as a parent, I want and need to know about. very informative Vicky.
So important
My daughter had viral meningitis when she was a baby (thankfully she is fine.. part from having weak teeth (a weird side effect of the body shutting down))… I don’t wish that kind of stress of worry on anyone. We are so lucky to live in a society that HAS vaccinations… and that our children are protect. I am so with you on this!
Oh my gosh, how frightening Maggy, so glad she is OK x
Meningitis is probably the thing I’ve worried the most about since the girls were born, as it can be such a devastating disease. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve checked them for rashes when they’ve been ill, and done ‘the glass test’ on every tiny red mark! A meningitis vaccine back then would have brought me SO much peace of mind – and still would today. I’ll definitely look into this – if the medical knowledge and technology are both there, it seems crazy not to take full advantage of them. x
Same, going to be vaccinating the boys. Such a terrible disease x