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Back to school meningitis warning
PARENTS have been warned to be on their guard against meningitis as their children go back to school this week.
Charity Meningitis UK says being back in the close confines of a classroom puts youngsters at greater risk of picking up the bug.
Under-fives starting school for the first time are especially vulnerable, as are teenagers starting university and mixing with vast numbers of new people.
Research commissioned by the charity shows 62 per cent of people are unaware there is still no vaccine for Meningitis B – one of the most common and deadly forms in 
the UK.
Meningitis UK’s advice to 
parents is to make sure they are aware of the full range of meningitis symptoms.
Meningitis can kill within hours, and survivors can be left with 
after-effects including brain damage, sight and hearing loss, limb loss and scarring.
Symptoms include a headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright 
light, difficulty standing, sickness, 
diarrhoea, confusion and 
drowsiness.
If blood poisoning sets in, a rash which does not fade under pressure may appear.
n For more information, or for a symptom checker pack, call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitis
UK.org.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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