Meningtis and misdiagnosis

[cartersmom]

I try not to get sucked into the alarmist media blitz when it comes to their coverage of deadly diseases, but I have to admit, meningitis scares the crapola out of me. I know that prompt medical attention is important, so articles like this are all the more tragic.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748128

This line leapt out at me:

She said Mr Brown was unwell when he arrived last Tuesday and was given medication and advice by a doctor to go to the A and E department if he did not get better.
If he was advised to take tylenol, that probably just hastened his death I would imagine.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748179

I can see why a parent would vaccinate for meningococcal disease since it can become deadly so quickly and is often misdiagnosed. What (besides the obvious like buliding up a good immune system and eating good natural food etc) are the best way to protect against any form of meningitis. seems like Ive read quite a few meningitis death stories recently both in the US and abroad :tear:

[ema-adama]

Given that meningitis is about the bacteria becoming invasive, it comes down to how pathogenic the bacteria is.

And the health of the innate immune system (health of the mucosa, mucosal blood flow, the thickness and condition of the epithelium, the thickness and composition of the mucous layer, the local concentration of antibodies and interferon, the commensal flora colonising the mucosae, the replication factors in host cells).

And finally of course, the antibodies from previous exposure.

There are no guarantees to avoid meningitis. Just things that you can control as best you can, and others that you can't control. Make your best choice and make peace with it. While knowing warning signs for medical conditions that warrent emergency intervention.