Meningitis brain injury risk highlightedRSS Feed

To stop meningitis, a major cause of acquired brain injury, doctors need to be alert to the warning signs, a leading charity has claimed.

The Meningitis Research Foundation said that meningitis occurs very rapidly, making early diagnosis and treatment vital to prevent brain injury or death.

"Obviously GPs play a vital role in that process," said Adrian Robson, a spokesman for the charity.

New guidelines have been given to GPs by the Medical Defence Union to help them spot the symptoms quicker after it emerged that since 1998, some £22 million has been paid out to settle claims relating to delayed diagnosis.

Mr Robson added that while ten per cent of meningitis sufferers will die, "many others will be left with devastating disabilities such as brain damage, deafness and amputations".

According to Meningitis UK, the disease can kill within four hours of being contracted and affects 3,000 people in Britain every year.

News from Serious Law, specialist acquired brain injury solicitors

Posted by Matthew Dixon

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