Two University of Kent students die in meningitis outbreak

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxg35dv7npo

Posted by PurchaseDry9350

22 Comments

  1. ash_ninetyone on

    Bacterial or viral? I’m assuming the former if they’re readying antibiotics to be sent out, but still.

    Meningitis vaccine is routinely offered to students up to the ages of 25 at their GPs (ACWY), that’s on top of the ones you can get as a child (such as MenB, the 6-in-1, etc).

    I know this could also be caused by a strain not covered by the vaccine, or it could be bacterial (which tends to be a lot worse than the viral one).

    But you never see outbreaks happen as a result. Makes me wonder if this has an underlying cause

  2. Famous_Actuary5718 on

    I don’t normally get alarmed by stuff like this but I saw this on BBC a little while ago and it really does feel a bit scary.

  3. Dry-Dragonfruit5216 on

    An international student on my course died just before the Christmas break after catching meningitis. We were in 2nd year at the time. The vaccinations are really important.

  4. EnglishLouis on

    Reminder to check with your GP if you’re unsure whether you’ve had the MenACWY vaccine

  5. tomegerton99 on

    Well this is alarming as someone who’s best friend is currently in hospital with meningitis…

  6. Personal_Lab_484 on

    Every fucking year this happens. It’s a bastard.

    We had posters up on 2016 about this when I went. It will kill you.

    Too many kids with no immune system through upbringing.

    Poor fuckers.

  7. One would think people smart enough to enter into the highest education bracket would also be smart enough to get vaccinated.

  8. Its probably a good idea to share Meningitis Symptoms.
    Meningitis: don’t ignore the signs and symptoms – GOV.UK https://share.google/HKE5FWGj7G9dY4yKR

    The most important signs to look out for are:

    fever

    a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)

    vomiting

    stiff neck

    dislike of bright lights

    rash

    confusion, delirium

    severe sleepiness, losing consciousness

    seizures

    BUT PLEASE DON’T THINK ITS NOT MENINGITIS IF THERE’S NO RASH. NOT ALL TYPES OF MENINGITIS HAVE A RASH. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS IF YOU THINK ITS MENINGITIS CALL 111 OR 999.

    My grandson had streptococcus A meningitis in 2019 there wasn’t a rash, only a high fever and vomiting.

  9. ishamiltonamusical on

    Before the vaccine debates starts – vaccinnes are highly higly important but can’t account for all strains of meningitis.  Trust me, I know this because of a very sad experience. They are still howevver life saving. 

    Please encourage the uni students in your life to get vaccinated! 

    My heart hurts for the families and loved ones of those students and those affected.

  10. DontAskAboutMax on

    I was a stupid high schooler and refused the vaccine… fear of needles plus naivety to the seriousness.

    I’ll probably be going to get it after reading these very sad reports.

  11. I remember that there was an outbreak at Cardiff uni hall, the first term after I lived in those halls. Those kids would be in their late 40s now. Scary times.

  12. ColbysRevenge on

    That shits contagious? I never knew. I thought it was just a deadly illness that isn’t transmissible, like cancer

  13. olivchardown on

    Everyone in here is talking about the ACWY vaccine but Men B is the most deadly for students in the UK. It is a separate vaccine.

    My sister died 24hrs after her first symptom – there was no chance for her. So students pls protect yourselves!

  14. jungleboy1234 on

    too early to say, but any reason why the ones who passed contracted it? Did they come from abroad, or were born here but their parents decided for them not to get the vaccine?

    If they came from abroad, are there requirements for them to be property vaccinated?

    I just want to know if we are taking lessons from covid to ensure that everyone is protected (not just the OAPS and vulnerable as with covid).

  15. Mate of mine at uni got meningitis; ended up in hospital for a few days in the ‘contagious diseases’ ward or something. Had to go through multiple sets of secure doors to visit him where he spent all day in a bed on his own. Really scary.

  16. I am worrying im in Kent, my friends girlfriends housemate been hospitalised with it a few days ago and he was at the house. What are the chances I’ve been exposed? I hung out with my friend last night. It’s probably quite low but im a bit stressy

  17. This happened to a guy at my uni years ago, everyone just thought he was really hungover on the way back from a surf society trip and sadly he passed away because of it