Bacterial Infection Suspicion

Newcastle Herald

Saturday August 18, 2007

GABRIEL WINGATE-PEARSE HEALTH

A YOUNG man has been admitted to a Hunter hospital with suspected meningococcal disease which, if confirmed, would make his the third case in the region this year.

Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said the young man was in a stable condition and that antibiotic treatment had been arranged for his close contacts as a precaution to prevent spread of infection.

His symptoms included a high temperature with headache and nausea, and a skin rash.

"It was a good response from the family and from the health service in suspecting the disease," Dr Durrheim said.

"It's a very serious bacterial infection, even with the best possible care . . . up to one in ten who get invasive disease actually die.

"However, the majority of people begin to improve very rapidly. Generally within a period of one to three days we see a marked improvement in their clinical state with antibiotic treatment."

There were 12 cases of meningococcal disease in 2006 the Hunter New England Health region, 13 cases in 2005 and 24 cases in 2004.

Dr Durrheim said the high risk groups were young children, generally of preschool age, and young people aged between 15 and 24.

"If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately," he said.

Meningococcal disease has a sudden onset and symptoms may include a high temperature, headaches, nausea or vomiting, irritability, weakness or drowsiness, joint or muscle pain and a pin-point or purple blotchy rash.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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