Page 14 - link magazine

Meningitis warning following
The Springboard to
Confidence for your child tragic death of Highworth boy

Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play THE sad death of a Highworth loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning
programme for children from 6 months to 7 years. six-year-old named Miles from difficulties
Your child will learn agility, balance, climbing, suspected meningococcal n Viral meningitis is more common
co-ordination appropriate to his or her age. meningitis at Great Western than bacterial meningitis, but less
Structured programmes designed to build Hospital on 19 December
self confidence and develop essential dangerous.
listening and language skills. brings home how suddenly and Sufferers feel unwell, but rest
Supervised by trained staff in a fun and unexpectedly this deadly virus can and painkillers usually see people
caring environment. strike. fully recover without hospital
Tumble Tots now in your area! Identifying the signs and treatment.
For information about local centres call symptoms can help a The symptoms are
quick diagnosis and a
Liz Davies on 0844 800 0219 much better chance of similar to bacterial
www.tumbletots.com/swindon recovery. meningitis, but are
often milder.
Stroud based charity However, early on, it
Meningitis Now was is sometimes hard to
LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare set up to save lives and tell the difference.
rebuild futures by funding Some people will suffer
& eduCation research, raising awareness
after-effects such as recurring
FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS of what to look for and provide headaches, memory loss, deafness,
Established 1986 support to the families of those
The Common, Brinkworth, Wilts who contract the virus. exhaustion and co-ordination
Tel: 01666 510356 difficulties.
Meningitis is frightening because
Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042 it can strike quickly and kill within n Symptoms: Meningitis
l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe, hours or leave sufferers with life- and septicaemia can happen
secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of changing after-effects. simultaneously. Symptoms can
school club for children aged 5-11 years appear in any order or may not
l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year The disease can affect anyone, appear. They include: headache,
l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for but babies and infants are most at dislike of bright lights, stiff neck,
3-5 year olds risk, and ages 15 to 24 are also a confusion, lethargy, joint/muscle
l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching high-risk group. pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
staff and nursery nurses In the UK it kills more under-
l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, fives than any other infectious Septicaemia symptoms include
school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about cold hands and feet, leg pain,
disease, and survivors can suffer abnormal skin colour and a pin-prick
after-effects such as brain damage, rash that does not fade under
epilepsy and limb loss. pressure.
Meningitis occurs when the brain
Symptoms in babies include
and spinal cord’s protective lining – high-pitched crying, poor feeding,
the meninges – inflame, usually due mottled skin and a bulging soft spot
to bacterial or viral infection. on head (fontanelle).
There are many forms, but
knowing the symptoms and seeking n The tumbler test: People with
ISTD - Ballet - Tap medical help immediately saves septicaemia may develop a pin-
prick rash. Press a clear glass firmly
lives. There are vaccines against
- Modern - Jazz some types, but not all. against the rash and roll.
If it does not fade – seek medical
Contemporary n Bacterial meningitis can kill and help immediately.
Street Jazz requires urgent medical treatment rare occasions the rash can change.
If the rash fades, keep checking, on
including antibiotics. The sooner
Musical Theatre & treatment is given, the more likely a
RAD Major Ballet person will fully recover.
n Septicaemia, the blood poisoning
form, can see sufferers lose limbs.
BRING THIS ADVERT There are about 3,200 UK
AND GET FIRST TWO bacterial meningitis and
WEEKS FREE septicaemia cases annually.
One in 10 people die and at least
1
Classes from 2 /2 years upwards. a third of survivors suffer lifelong
after-effects such as hearing
Lessons held at:
The Haydon Centre Meningitis Now executive founder Steve Dudman has dedicated his life
Haydonleigh School to the fight against the disease since his 14-month-old son Spencer died
in 1982. He said: “Only through people’s kindness, energy and enthusiasm
Abbeymeads Community School can we fight the disease on all fronts – fund pioneering
Blunsdon Village Halls preventative research, raise lifesaving awareness and
Tel: 07825 543529 or 01793 524112 support survivors and their families.”
To donate to the charity, for a free symptoms
Visit our website for more details: pack or app, or for more information, call 0808
80 10 388, email: [email protected] or see:
www.swindonacademyofdance.co.uk MeningitisNow.org

14 swindonlink.com n February 2015