Accra records 3 cases of Pneumococcal meningitis

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• Ken Kweku Agyeman 10 years ago

  Government can't do it all. we also need to take responsibility for our actions. We must caution and educate people to maintain good personal hygiene and develop a culture of coughing into their Handkerchiefs.
  The Simple lit ...
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  Government can't do it all. we also need to take responsibility for our actions. We must caution and educate people to maintain good personal hygiene and develop a culture of coughing into their Handkerchiefs.
  The Simple little precautions we take as well can also make a difference.

  reply
• APONKYE 10 years ago

  Nana prayed for Ebola but Mahama outsmarted him. Since then he has been praying hard for a nasty disease to attack Ghana. But JDM will sort this out -Insha Allah.

  Nana prayed for Ebola but Mahama outsmarted him. Since then he has been praying hard for a nasty disease to attack Ghana. But JDM will sort this out -Insha Allah.

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• Aponkye 10 years ago

  no wonder ur name is aponkye. U fool papa lyk ur father in the village. Grow up OK and don't let Mahama use u cos of some small coins. have u seen the poverty ur family have been since Mahama came?

  no wonder ur name is aponkye. U fool papa lyk ur father in the village. Grow up OK and don't let Mahama use u cos of some small coins. have u seen the poverty ur family have been since Mahama came?

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• vinash 10 years ago

  YOU ARE APONKYE FOR REAL. LEAVE THE PLATFORM FOR HUMANBEINGS

  YOU ARE APONKYE FOR REAL. LEAVE THE PLATFORM FOR HUMANBEINGS

  reply
• Adu Boah 10 years ago

  The measures should be disseminated to the public to prevent themselves from attracting these diseases. the public needs education

  The measures should be disseminated to the public to prevent themselves from attracting these diseases. the public needs education

  reply
• Stallone 10 years ago

  What are the symptoms??
  Educate us......

  What are the symptoms??
  Educate us......

  reply
• Elsy 10 years ago

  Start with washing your hand after defecating !

  Start with washing your hand after defecating !

  reply
• J0eY LoNdoN 10 years ago

  The brain and the spinal cord are protected by a fluid called Cerebrospinal fluid. The medics call it CSF. This fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from trauma and injury, is an important protection ...
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  The brain and the spinal cord are protected by a fluid called Cerebrospinal fluid. The medics call it CSF. This fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from trauma and injury, is an important protection system for your brain and spine.The fluid is encased in a membrane called the Meninges.
  
  Meningitis is basically a disease that causes the meninges membrane to be inflamed. There are many different causes of Meningitis. The more common ones are viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The less common causes are cancer, brain surgery and head injuries.
  
  The type of meningitis that has been detected in the Brong Ahafo, Northern and Ashanti Regions is Pneumococcal Meningitis. This type is caused by bacteria called the Pneumococcus. This is a bacteria that lives in the back of the throat. It can be passed from person to person through tiny droplets of fluid from a person’s mouth or throat or nose. The commonest means of transmission are through kissing or sharing cutlery, chewing gum, straws, lipstick and the likes.
  
  The interesting thing about this Pneumococcus bacteria is that most of us already have it in our system.
  
  But 80% of the time, the bacteria remains dormant. The worst it will normally do is to cause other illnesses like ear infections, sinus infections or pneumonia.
  
  But in about 20% of cases, the bacteria causes an infection that travels throughthe blood and breach the meninges membrane to infect the cerebrospinal fluid. Once the bacterium enters the CSF, it starts to multiply freely, releasing poisons into the fluid, the brain and the surrounding meninges membrane. That’s when the real problems begin.
  
  The infection causes the meninges membrane to swell. It can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain. At this point, you would start to experience symptoms like headaches, stiff neck, fever, vomiting, rash, confusion, drowsiness chills, cough, chest pains, and an immediate dislike for bright light. In infants, the fontanels – the soft spots on the top of the skull - may be bulging visibly.These symptoms typically become visible one to three days after infection, but it could be quicker. It is important that you consult a doctor immediately you start experiencing several of these symptoms together.
  
  Now, it is important not to panic. Even though it can be transmitted from one person to another, the Pneumococcus bacteria usually pose no threat to a healthy person. It is those with certain pre-existing conditions like alcohol abuse, recent ear or upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, diabetes or complications with their spleen, who stand a higher risk of developing Meningitis from the bacteria.
  
  As we have witnessed in Ghana, Pneumococcal Meningitis can cause death (typically one in every five cases), and it must be noted that about half of the survivors do end up with complications like deafness, paralysis, learning disabilities and brain damage, but the Meningitis itself is very much treatable with antibiotics.
  
  The earlier you start treatment, the better your chances of beating it. It is also a preventable disease; there are vaccines available for infants and some adults under certain conditions. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you are eligible for any of the available vaccines.
  
  There are many simple ways to avoid catching Pneumococcal Meningitis. As long as you avoid exposure to any nasal, mouth or throat fluids from an infected person, you should be fine. But remember, many of us already have the bacteria, and in four out of five us, it remains completely dormant and harmless. There is no need to stop kissing your perfectly healthy wives, husbands, partners etc. It is exposure to sick people or people whose health status is unknown, that you must be careful about. And since I’m sure you already take due care, I’m sure you will all be fine.
  
  If you do experience any of the symptoms I mentioned earlier - headaches, stiff neck, fever, vomiting, rash, confusion, drowsiness chills, cough, chest pains, and an immediate dislike for bright light – please avoid exposing others to your nose, throat and mouth fluids. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and see your doctor immediately.
  
  Again, there is no need to panic whatsoever. Meningitis is avoidable, and treatable. Just take care of yourselves, and each other.

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• kwasi Braine west Legon 10 years ago

  Wow,thanks so much Joey for giving us this education on the disease..its very important we are all aware so can take protect ourselves.God richly bless u bro

  Wow,thanks so much Joey for giving us this education on the disease..its very important we are all aware so can take protect ourselves.God richly bless u bro

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• Akora 10 years ago

  God bless you for educating us on the disease

  God bless you for educating us on the disease

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• Qkrew 10 years ago

  Thanks very much JOeY. Excellent piece. But if 1 out 5 infected die, then it's worse than say HIV currently. But the health minister and his vice say NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. 27 people died in Burkina last 2 weeks, and there was ...
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  Thanks very much JOeY. Excellent piece. But if 1 out 5 infected die, then it's worse than say HIV currently. But the health minister and his vice say NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. 27 people died in Burkina last 2 weeks, and there was GREAT ALARM. Over 40 have died in Ghana of this disease, yet NO CAUSE FOR ALARM

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• Justice. Mauritius 10 years ago

  What are the symptoms of the disease . Educate us the water heads in GHS . Are we gonna wait until five hundred people die ?

  What are the symptoms of the disease . Educate us the water heads in GHS . Are we gonna wait until five hundred people die ?

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• irene 10 years ago

  stiff neck, cold nd cough, don't let sme1 sneeze on you. you can get thru these fluids. eat enough fruits nd water.

  stiff neck, cold nd cough, don't let sme1 sneeze on you. you can get thru these fluids. eat enough fruits nd water.

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• irene 10 years ago

  open Windows for fresh air in ur rooms. practice personal hygyein.

  open Windows for fresh air in ur rooms. practice personal hygyein.

  reply
• ADWEN 10 years ago

  These JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA and his inexperienced but stealing gang thieves are just destroying Ghana everyday. Measure were said to have been take when this disease broke out in the Brong Ahafo region, yet these so-called meas ...
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  These JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA and his inexperienced but stealing gang thieves are just destroying Ghana everyday. Measure were said to have been take when this disease broke out in the Brong Ahafo region, yet these so-called measures aren't effective and no one knows of these measures and now the disease have spread and continue to spread all over Ghana.
  What sort of incompetence and curse have Ghanaians and ATUGUBA and AFARI-GYAN imposed on Ghanaians by imposing these thieves and empty barrels on Ghana?

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• Kwame USA 10 years ago

  When I come to Ghana for a visit the TV station are full of pastors performing so called "miracles"
  
  Where are they? Azaa everywhere in Ghana

  When I come to Ghana for a visit the TV station are full of pastors performing so called "miracles"
  
  Where are they? Azaa everywhere in Ghana

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• Dr Chakachaka 10 years ago

  please educate the people on the early signs so that they can rush to the hospital early as soon as they see any of it.

  please educate the people on the early signs so that they can rush to the hospital early as soon as they see any of it.

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• joe 10 years ago

  150,000

  150,000

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• Kwadjoe Yeboah, USA 10 years ago

  This Doctor is stupid. How can a person report symptoms if she/he is unfamiliar of the sysmptoms to report or be aware of? She should have provided highlights of the sysmptoms to look for to the media.

  This Doctor is stupid. How can a person report symptoms if she/he is unfamiliar of the sysmptoms to report or be aware of? She should have provided highlights of the sysmptoms to look for to the media.

  reply