Call For Better Awareness Of Meningitis

People are being warned to learn the signs of meningitis, ahead of a world day of action.

Meningitis UK is launching a film on their website today warning people of the symptoms. The deadly blood disease killed a teenage boy in West Fife two weeks ago.

Meningitis Now is promoting its hard-hitting awareness film ‘The Fastest Hour’ about one woman’s life and death struggle as meningitis ravages her body, to drive home the message that the deadly and debilitating disease can affect anyone at any age. The film tells the true story of Sophia Wyatt, a college student training to be a ski instructor. Meningitis struck the then 16-year-old out of the blue and her life changed completely.

Sue Davie, chief executive at Meningitis Now, said:

“We’re using this international awareness day to fight complacency about meningitis. Many people think that with the announcement of a new vaccine for Meningitis B last month the disease is beaten. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“One of the biggest myths is that children are protected against all types of meningitis through vaccination and, in reality, this is not the case.

“Many others think it only affects children. Not true – it can affect anyone of any age.”