At a glance:
Meningococcal disease can present as either:
Different types:
Most likely to become infected:
Signs and Symptoms:
Prevention:
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can present as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning). There are 5 main strains of meningococcal, A, B, C, W & Y, and it is recommended for overseas travellers to be vaccinated against A, C, W &Y. It is important to note that only type C is routinely vaccinated against as part of the Australian Childhood Vaccination Program.
Meningococcal meningitis, also known as bacterial meningitis, is the most serious form of meningitis and if untreated can result in permanent injury, or even in some cases- death. Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include: high fevers, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, confusion/disorientation, dizziness, backache, stiff/painful neck, sensitivity to light and/or twitching/convulsions.
Meningococcal septicaemia is known as the most dangerous of these two forms of meningococcal disease; it occurs when meningococcal bacteria enters the blood stream and reproduces very rapidly. This rapid reproduction causes damage to the blood vessel walls causing bleeding under the skin which results in the tell-tale rash associated with this disease. If not treated swiftly, this disease can lead to permanent injury, including brain damage, deafness and, again, in some cases death. Symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia include: fever with cold hands and feet, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, confusion/disorientation, dizziness, pain in muscles/joints/abdomen/chest, pale/grey/blotchy skin, rapid breathing, diarrhoea and/or the tell-tale rash.
In babies and toddlers, symptoms of meningococcal disease may present as: Lethargy, irritability, refusal to eat, crying and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on top of head) alongside the symptoms mentioned before.
The meningococcal rash is verydistinctive, it begins looking like little red pin pricks and then develops into large red/purple ‘blotches’ on the skin that may look like bruising. How to differentiate between a meningococcal rash and a typical rash is that meningococcal rashes do not disappear when pressure is applied to them. A trick to see if this rash disappears or not is to press a clear drinking glass against the skin, if you can still see the rash through the glass when applying pressure you should seek medical assistant as soon as possible.
People who are most likely to become infected with the meningococcal bacteria are: persons who have regular close contact with someone who is infected with or is a carrier for the bacteria (i.e. living with or having close physical contact with), people with lowered immune systems (i.e. people who are ill, people with conditions affecting their immune response, people without a spleen, the elderly and the young) and persons travelling to areas with high rates of meningococcal infection such as sub-Saharan Africa.
For further information, speak with one of our Doctors. Addittional information also available at the below links:
http://www.meningococcal.org.au/
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/meningococcal_disease.aspx
“Go Fresh†Water Purification Straw
A compact, BPA free drinking ‘straw’ that can filter out bacteria, viruses, chemicals and heavy metals from any water source as you are drinking it. This straw will filter 200 litres of water or 100 days of typical use by 1 person.
“Fill2Pure†Flip top water bottle
This 800ml, flip top drinking bottle contains a filter to remove 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and chemicals. The filter sits at the bottom of the bottle for easy filtration of every drop! 1 filter will work for up to 400 letres of water and replacement filters are available.
“Micropur†water purification tablets
A water treatment option for people who will be able to obtain clean and/or partially filtered water (eg: clear tap water). 1 tablet will purify 1 letre of water; these tables are available in 25, 50 and 100 tablet pack.
Our clinic stocks “RID†Tropical strength insect repellent
Available in aerosol, pump and roll on canisters. This insect repellent contains 19.5% DEET making it suitable for protection against vector borne disease (eg: malaria, dengue fever, etc.). A kids roll on is also available.
Good hand hygiene is accredited as a first line prevention for getting sick! When soap, clean water and suitable clean drying cloths are not readily available these water free hand gels combat the germs that cause illness.
Hang-able mosquito nets
These mosquito nets are impregnated with an insecticide making it a Life Long Insect Net by the standards set by the World Health Organisation. This means that the insecticide in these nets will last the lifetime of the net despite repeated or continuous use and washing. The nets are available in single and double sized as well as compact versions of both. For exact dimensions and weight see one of our travel staff.
Self-Supporting mosquito net
These nets erect in just seconds and contain an ‘built-in’ support frame rendering the need to find something to hang the net from obsolete. The net can be adjusted for single or double use and contains re-enforced eyelets for pegging the net down should it be required. The net fabric is also treated with an insecticide that will remain effective for up to 3 years with appropriate care.
Head Net
Designed to keep insects away from the face and neck; these nets sit on top of your head or hat and effectively protect skin that may not have been typically covered.
