Meningitis can cause blood clots to form in the extremities, such as the fingers and toes, which can lead to tissue death and gangrene, requiring amputation — dpa
Parents worry about their children catching meningitis, but are in the dark about what the lifelong effects could be, research suggests.
A YouGov survey of 1,402 people for the Meningitis Research Foundation to mark World Meningitis Day on Oct 5 (2023), found that 48% of parents are concerned the infection could cause life-long disabilities, but many are not sure what they are.
Problems with movement and coordination (42%) and limb loss (41%) topped the poll as the most recognised disabilities, with mothers more likely than fathers to know this could happen.
Some 20% were aware of epilepsy and behavioural and emotional problems, while 24% knew about water in the brain, 25% balance problems, and 29% sight loss.
ALSO READ: Meningococcal meningitis, a threat to young brains
Globally, bacterial meningitis (the most serious form) kills one in 10 people who contract it, while one in five people who survive meningitis will go on to experience disability.
Italian Paralympic athlete Andrea Lanfri lost both of his legs and seven fingers after contracting meningitis in 2015.
Following his recovery, he became the first athlete with multiple amputations to reach the summit of Mount Everest, achieving the feat last year.
In a bid to raise awareness, he said: “When I woke up from the coma in the hospital, even though the doctors hadn’t yet amputated, I already knew deep down that I most likely wouldn’t leave the hospital just like I entered it.
”I didn’t come out unscathed from this battle, the meningococcus took away my legs and seven of my fingers, but it didn’t take away my will to live, my happiness, my incredible fortitude, which allowed me to transform this experience into a further push forward, into power.
“My life will never be the same because I do not do the same things as before, but many, many more.
“I always share my experience to motivate people to overcome life’s difficulties, big or small, to show that the limits are not always real.”
The Foundation’s chief executive Vinny Smith said: “It’s true that for many who survive meningitis, they live with life-changing outcomes.
“But for every family and every community touched by meningitis, there is light ahead.
“There is a Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, which will save lives and significantly reduce disabilities caused by meningitis.
“For those who survive with life-changing impacts, adjusting to a life that may look different to before can be a long and difficult journey.
“But it’s important to know there is hope.
“We know from other meningitis survivors’ experiences, and as Andrea’s story shows, life can begin again.
“It’s also vital that those facing challenging times know they are not on their own.”
ALSO READ: Meningitis: When the brain’s surface is infected
The charity has launched Meningitis in Your Words, a digital collection of meningitis experiences from across the world.
It is calling for 2,030 people to share their story on meningitis.org. – PA Media/dpa
