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Mark your calendars for World Meningitis Day on October 5! This day was created to raise awareness and support research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of meningitis and related diseases. Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to severe illness and even death if not treated in time. On this day, people come together to increase public understanding of the risks associated with meningitis and how it can be prevented. Let's take this opportunity to spread knowledge about this important issue and ensure everyone is informed about their health!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1805</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Case of Bacterial Meningitis</div><div class='timeline-text'>Swedish physician Axel Key describes the first known case of bacterial meningitis, although the specific bacteria were not yet identified.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1887</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Meningococcus Identified</div><div class='timeline-text'>Italian pathologists Ettore Marchiafava and Angelo Celli identify the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, in cerebrospinal fluid.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Meningitis Vaccines</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first vaccines against meningitis are developed and tested during this decade.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Conjugate Vaccine Introduction</div><div class='timeline-text'>The introduction of meningococcal conjugate vaccine significantly reduces cases of bacterial meningitis, becoming an important tool in disease prevention.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Meningitis Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) dedicates the first World Meningitis Day to raising global awareness about the disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Defeating Meningitis Roadmap</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World Health Organization launches a global roadmap aiming to defeat meningitis as a public health problem by 2030.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn more about meningitis and how to identify the symptoms. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones from this disease.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use social media and other platforms to spread awareness about meningitis and how to prevent it. Share information about the disease and ways to protect yourself.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support research</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donate to organizations that are researching and developing treatments for meningitis, like Meningitis Research Foundation or Meningitis Now.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Volunteer with a local organization that focuses on meningitis prevention and awareness. You can help educate others on the signs and symptoms of meningitis as well as how to stay safe.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Promote vaccinations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage those around you to get vaccinated against meningitis. Vaccinations are an important part of preventing the spread of the disease.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raises awareness about the disease</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Meningitis Day is a great opportunity to educate the public about this serious and potentially deadly infection. By raising awareness and educating people, we can help prevent its spread and improve outcomes for those affected by it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes the importance of vaccinations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Vaccines can help protect against certain types of meningitis, such as meningococcal disease, which is especially common in college students. World Meningitis Day serves to remind us all how important it is to ensure that everyone, especially young adults, are up to date on their vaccinations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Helps fund research for a cure</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Meningitis has no known cure yet, but researchers are working hard to find one. Funds from World Meningitis Day help support these efforts and give hope to patients suffering from this life-altering illness.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Meningitis can be caused by Several Types of Microorganisms</h3><p class='facts-content'>Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes, and can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Close Contact can Spread Meningitis</h3><p class='facts-content'>Meningitis, particularly the bacterial and viral types, can be spread through close contact including coughing, sneezing, kissing or even sharing cutlery and kitchenware.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prompt Treatment is Crucial</h3><p class='facts-content'>Early diagnosis and treatment are vital when dealing with meningitis. If not treated promptly, it can lead to severe complications like brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Survivors may have Long-Term Health Concerns</h3><p class='facts-content'>Meningitis survivors often have to contend with long-term health issues such as concentration problems, memory difficulties, and fatigue even after recovery from the acute phase of the illness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sub-Saharan Africa has the Highest Incidence of Meningitis Globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>A region in sub-Saharan Africa, known as the 'meningitis belt', has the highest rates of meningitis in the world. In this region, large epidemics can occur, particularly during the dry season.</p></div></div>
World Meningitis Day is celebrated on October 5th every year. In 2024, it will occur on a Saturday.
2023
Oct 5
Thursday
2024
Oct 5
Saturday
2025
Oct 5
Sunday
2026
Oct 5
Monday
2027
Oct 5
Tuesday
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