H1N1 ? What about H5N1 ?

Forget H1N1, there’s an H5N1 for you to worry about now! In all the panic about swine flu, doctors across the globe are warning of confusing the symptoms of H1N1 for meningitis – a far more deadly and dangerous disease, and also the one without a vaccine.

Symptoms

The symptoms for Swine Flu and Meningitis are largely the same – ranging from fevers, body aches, fevers and cold hands and feet. As the vacation period across the world comes to an end and people return from holidaying in far flung places, holiday makers are thought to be potentially contagious and capable of spreading the disease, making doctors brace for a second global outbreak.

In India

In April, 2009, a severe meningitis outbreak hit Tripura and Meghalaya, with the government undertaking a drive to vaccinate the entire population with the World Health Organization chipping in with 3.5 lakh vaccines. The fatal bacterial infection had sprung up in Tripura since January 2009 which recorded 126 confirmed Meningitis cases and 33 deaths by April. The last major Meningitis outbreak to strike India was in 2005, with over 80 people dying in the capital alone.

Origin and Transmission

Meningitis is usually caused by either bacteria or a virus. Viral Meningitis is more common than bacterial but is rarely life-threatening. Meningitis caused by bacteria tends to be more serious. Broadly, there are two types of bacterial disease: Meningococcal and Pneumococcal. Vaccines exist for both. Most cases of Meningococcal meningitis can be treated with antibiotics, but it is important to catch the disease early.

Effects

Meningitis can kill in under four hours and parents should be watchful for the disease. The disease, which affects children and teenagers the most, can be fatal if not immediately diagnosed. Typical symptoms of meningitis include a headache, stiff neck and a dislike of bright light. Other symptoms are difficulty supporting own weight, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, confusion and drowsiness.