Meningitis outbreak "no cause for concern"

It is quite important that the press make clear what sort of meningitis is being reported.

There are different types of Meningitis. Bacteriological tends to be much more dangerous than viral.

Some meningitis cannot be caught - rather it is acquired. E.g., the pneumococcal bacterium is in the throats of a good percentage of the population all the time - it causes meningitis when it crosses into the fluid surrounding the brain - for example via a cyst.

Health services are usually keen to prevent panic about meningitis. This is appropriate for non-transmissible or viral versions. However, the public do have to be concerned when it is a transmissible bacteriological version.

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Note that the symptom of blotches on the skin does not always occur.

It is quite important that the press make clear what sort of meningitis is being reported.

There are different types of Meningitis. Bacteriological tends to be much more dangerous than viral.

Some meningitis cannot be caught - rather it is acquired. E.g., the pneumococcal bacterium is in the throats of a good percentage of the population all the time - it causes meningitis when it crosses into the fluid surrounding the brain - for example via a cyst.

Health services are usually keen to prevent panic about meningitis. This is appropriate for non-transmissible or viral versions. However, the public do have to be concerned when it is a transmissible bacteriological version.

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Note that the symptom of blotches on the skin does not always occur.