The heartbreaking condition of a mother seeing her 3 year old son in pain is a sad tale to tell especially knowing she could have helped but she couldn’t because she is financially incapable. She cried bitterly around seeking for help to save the life of her child who has been diagnosed of Meningitis.
Mrs. Onifade can be likened to Hagar in the bible who desperately sought for help to save her son’s life. Just like the angel of the Lord appeared with provision of water to provide for Hagar’s son Ishmael, Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) came through for Mrs. Onifade to provide funds needed for the laboratory test and drugs to help save Joseph Onifade’s life.
Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs and other types of infections also can cause meningitis.
Kinds of Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis: This is very serious and can be deadly. It can lead to death quickly. Most meningitis patients recover however, bacterial meningitis can lead to permanent disabilities (such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities).
Viral Meningitis: This is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own (without treatment). However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because some types of meningitis can be very serious. Babies younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness from viral meningitis.
Fungal Meningitis: It develops after a fungus spreads from somewhere else in the body to the brain or spinal cord.
Parasitic Meningitis: Various parasites can cause meningitis or can affect the brain or nervous system in other ways. Overall, parasitic meningitis is much less common than viral and bacterial meningitis. People can get infected by eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs or contaminated produce or by accidentally ingesting infectious parasite eggs. Patients can also be infected by eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish or eels, frogs, poultry, or snakes.
How it spreads
- Close contact: Close contacts of someone with viral meningitis can become infected with the virus that made that person sick.
- Mothers can pass these bacteria to their babies during birth.
- People spread these bacteria by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who breathe in the bacteria.
- Respiratory or throat secretions (saliva or spit): This typically occurs during close (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact (living together).
- People can get these bacteria by eating food prepared by people who did not wash their hands well after using the toilet.
Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
- Altered mental status (confusion)
You can donate or volunteer to join HEI in this noble cause of saving lives. With you we can do more.
