Central Coast Local Health District is urging people to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the start of December 2022, there have been two cases of meningococcal on the Central Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children under five and 15 to 25-year-olds are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
District Director of Public Health, Dr Kathryn Taylor said early intervention can be lifesaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMeningococcal disease symptoms can appear suddenly and become very serious very quickly. If you suspect meningococcal disease, don\u2019t wait for the rash \u2013 see a doctor immediately,\u201d Dr Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meningococcal disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Indicators of serious illness include fever, a fast heart rate, cold hands and feet or a mottled look to the skin, difficulty waking or increased lethargy or confusion. Knowing the symptoms could help prevent premature death or life-long disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They include:
\u2022 Severe, unexplained limb pain
\u2022 Difficulty waking up
\u2022 High pitched crying in babies
\u2022 Severe headache
\u2022 Upset by bright lights
\u2022 Stiff neck
\u2022 Red-purple rash which doesn\u2019t disappear when pressed with a glass<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile it is a well-known symptom of meningococcal disease, the rash does not always occur, or may present late in the illness,\u201d Dr Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf symptoms rapidly worsen, or if your child is very unwell, call Triple Zero (000) or go straight to your nearest emergency department.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and community from the harmful effects of meningococcal disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the National Immunisation Program, meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is provided free for babies at 12 months, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions. In NSW, the adolescent dose is delivered through the school vaccination program in Year 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aboriginal children up to the age of two years, and people with certain medical conditions, can also access free meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine. All children from six weeks of age can have the Men B vaccine to reduce the risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information on vaccination or symptoms, transmission, risks and treatment of Meningococcal, see the NSW Health website.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Central Coast Local Health District is urging people to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear. Since the start of December 2022, there…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[],"series":[170],"class_list":["post-3959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events","series-on-the-coast-families"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/01\/scientist-holds-blood-sample-meningococcal-disease-test.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/feed\/podcast\/on-the-coast-families","embedCode":"Community urged to stay alert for meningococcal symptoms<\/a><\/blockquote>