Farah Hussain talks health
On World Meningitis Day, Sanofi Pasteur Femina Miss Beauty for Health 2012 Farah Hussain calls for greater awareness
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can, within 24 hours, cause the death of an otherwise healthy young person. People who survive the disease may be left with serious problems like amputation, hearing loss, mental retardation, seizures or paralysis. Unfortunately, those affected by the disease most often are infants, adolescents and young adults who have just begun to experience life.
Farah believes "there is a need of greater awareness about meningitis since the disease is difficult to recognize. I was surprised to know it can spread by daily activities like sharing utensils and drinking glasses, living in close quarters like a dormitory/summer camp, smoking and even kissing." It's for this reason that colleges in the US and Australia insist that freshmen staying in hospital dormitories get vaccinated. Dr AJ Chitkara, head, department of pediatrics, Max Hospital, New Delhi, says "Meningococcal meningitis is the most dangerous of all forms of meningitis. While there is consensus on the devastating nature of the disease, its prevention takes a back seat. There is a feeling that the disease occurs only in outbreaks, whereas it can also occur sporadically." Dr Joselito Sta Ana, executive director of Sanofi Pasteur - a pioneer in meningococcal vaccine development - says, "It's important that parents learn more about ways to identify and prevent the disease."
Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can, within 24 hours, cause the death of an otherwise healthy young person. People who survive the disease may be left with serious problems like amputation, hearing loss, mental retardation, seizures or paralysis. Unfortunately, those affected by the disease most often are infants, adolescents and young adults who have just begun to experience life.
Farah believes "there is a need of greater awareness about meningitis since the disease is difficult to recognize. I was surprised to know it can spread by daily activities like sharing utensils and drinking glasses, living in close quarters like a dormitory/summer camp, smoking and even kissing." It's for this reason that colleges in the US and Australia insist that freshmen staying in hospital dormitories get vaccinated. Dr AJ Chitkara, head, department of pediatrics, Max Hospital, New Delhi, says "Meningococcal meningitis is the most dangerous of all forms of meningitis. While there is consensus on the devastating nature of the disease, its prevention takes a back seat. There is a feeling that the disease occurs only in outbreaks, whereas it can also occur sporadically." Dr Joselito Sta Ana, executive director of Sanofi Pasteur - a pioneer in meningococcal vaccine development - says, "It's important that parents learn more about ways to identify and prevent the disease."
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