Meningitis Research Foundation Who are we Meningitis Research

Meningitis Research Foundation

Who are we? Meningitis Research Foundation is a leading UK and international meningitis charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis and septicaemia wherever they exist.

Meningitis • 1 in 10 carry the bacteria which is spread through prolonged contact • The bacteria will not affect most people due to your natural immunity, but for some the bacteria will enter into the body. • The bacteria causes swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord • Uniquely fast-acting and devastating • Symptoms are often hard to spot • Can affect anyone of any age • Septicaemia is when the bacteria enters into your blood stream. The infection cause meningitis, septiceamia, or both

Meningitis Symptoms www. meningitis. org

Septicaemia Symptoms www. meningitis. org

AFTER EFFECTS • • • Deafness Blindness Brain Damage Epilepsy Amputations Cognitive Difficulties Behaviour Difficulties Organ Failure Death 3 out of 10 cases will result in long term after effects One of the Leading Causes of acquired deafness

MENINGITIS IN THE UK • 3, 200 people affected by bacterial meningitis and septicaemia each UK • 1 in 10 who contract meningitis and septicaemia will die • 25% of survivors will be left with life-altering after effects • Infants and toddlers are the most affected but anyone of any age can be affected

MENINGITIS GLOBALLY • Nearly 320, 000 people died from meningitis in 2016. • Globally bacterial meningitis leaves 1 in 5 with an impairment caused by the disease such as brain injury • Collectively meningitis and neonatal sepsis are the second biggest infectious killers of children under 5 • Across all age groups, meningitis is still the worlds 6 th largest infectious disease killer Meningitis affects more than 2. 8 million people globally each year

HOW DO WE COMBAT MENINGITIS? Prevention • See fewer people get meningitis and septicaemia • Invest in vaccines • Raising awareness with the public Diagnosis & Treatment • See people survive with a better quality of life • Investing in research Engagement, Information & Support • Supporting patients & communities • Helpline services • Personal Support • Support days We have invested £ 19 million into research

STUDENTS AND MENINGITIS • Students are the second largest at risk group • Symptoms can be similar to that of a hangover or fresher flu • Virulent strain on the rise • Vaccines are available • Awareness is key Cases have risen from 22 cases of Men W in 2009 to 200 cases In 2016

Sharon’s Story Sharon lost her daughter, Lauren, to Men. W meningitis. She bravely tells her story so that no family will have to suffer as hers did, with life after meningitis. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=caj 3 WKxv. XRc

Men. ACWY Vaccine • Young People and new students under the age of 25 were offered a free Men. ACWY Vaccine that protects against 4 strains of meningitis • Due to a rising Increase in cases amongst young people -particularly Men. W • Young people going on to university are particularly at risk because they mix with so many other students who may be carrying the bacteria. One Life One Shot Campaign • We distributed 50, 000 awareness posters/leaflets • We wrote to every single parent who’s child was starting university • 16 fresher fairs attended to raise awareness • 686, 000 people watched our video on Instagram raising awareness of meningitis Thanks to our campaign the number of students getting the vaccination increased by tens of thousands and the number of cases is decreasing

Our impact in 2017 • 3, 402 people accessed our helpline • Our website was viewed 2. 8 million times • 100 people attended our pushing the boundaries family day, 94% said they felt less alone • We funded 5 new research projects & continued to support 20 ongoing project • Our project in Malawi triaged 120, 600 children ensuring the sickest children are seen quickly • 120 ambassadors supported our work and raised awareness