On Thursday, March 30, 2017, the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC) confirmed the outbreak of
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in five
states with 282 deaths.
NAIJ.com reported that Dr Chikwe
Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer
of the centre, made this known to the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Thursday in Abuja.
Ihekweazu said that 1,966 suspected
cases have been recorded while 109
have been confirmed since the outbreak
of the disease in February in the
country.
Meningitis can be fatal within 24 hours
What are some facts Nigerians need to
know about the sickness before it is too
late so they can take preventive
measures?
The Health research funding website
gave the following facts:
1. There are different forms of Meningitis
Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, a
virus, or even fungi on certain
occasions. Because of this, being able to
recognize the cause of the infection that
is swelling up the brain, brain stem,
and spinal cord is critically important.
The bacterial version of meningitis is
the most deadly, accounting for the
deaths of over 120,000 people around
the world every year.
2. It kills fast
It is possible for someone to die from
meningitis just 24 hours after the initial
symptoms of the disease take place.
About 10% of the cases of meningitis
prove fatal even when treatment is
received immediately.
Another 20% of people will receive some
form of permanent brain damage or
disability as a direct result of the
disease, meaning that only 70% of
people with meningitis recover after
encountering the symptoms.
3. It has no age barrier
Meningitis is known to affect kids
under the age of 5 and teens between
the ages of 15-19 the most often, but the
nature of the disease means that it can
affect anyone at any time.
It does not matter where someone lives
in the world today. Meningitis may be
more frequent in low income areas and
where vaccines are not as available, but
it is still found in every corner of every
society.
4. Vaccines can help prevent it
One of the most effective ways to stop
meningitis before it ever starts is to be
vaccinated against the disease. That’s
why it is recommended as a part of
every child’s vaccination program
today.
By exposing people to the dead and
dying bacteria that cause the deadliest
forms of the disease, children receive a
higher level of protection against all
bacterial forms of the disease.
5. Smoking increases the risk of Meningitis
Meningitis is often spread through
personal contact, which is why smoking
causes many people to become carriers
of the virus or bacteria.
Although seasonal factors can also
contribute to the ability of people to
pick up the disease and spread it,
smoking is the #1 way that people
increase their chances of picking up
meningitis.
6. It leads to major illnesses
Those that have survived symptoms of
meningitis are likely to suffer long term
health effects such as deafness, brain
damage, learning difficulties, seizures,
and limited physical activity and
abilities.
7. Other ways apart from vaccination
One of the top ways to prevent
symptoms and risks of contracting
meningitis is to become vaccinated.
Other prevention tactics include hand
washing frequently, exercising
regularly, maintain a stable immune
system, and cover your mouth when you
sneeze or cough.
NAIJ.com recently made a video of the
health benefits of eating fruits. Watch
the video below:
http://myloadedbase..com/2017/04/meningitis-7-facts-every-nigerian-must.html

may God help