How many cases of meningitis are seen in the Western Isles?
In a normal year I would expect to see some 2 or 3 cases of meningococcal meningitis in the Western Isles and Scotland has a total of 320 each year. How is it spread? It is spread by droplets from the upper respiratory tract and by salivary secretions. About 10% of us carry this bacterium in the back of our noses and in our throats without ever realising it and it is only in a few people that the bacteria overcomes the bodys defences and passes into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream they can cause Meningitis or Septicaemia. We do not know why some people become ill and others carry the bacteria with no ill effects. Incubation period. This has a range of 1-10 days, but most usually is 1-3 days. Can I get meningitis by coming into contact with someone who has it? The germs that cause bacterial meningitis are common and live naturally in the back of the throat. Coughing, sneezing and kissing spread the germs but they do not live for more than a few seconds outside the body and ar
