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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Robert K. who wrote (7170)	9/4/1998 4:02:00 PM
From: aknahow	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

U.K. statistics on cases and deaths. Monday, August 17, 1998 Published at 12:10 GMT 13:10 UK Health Students get meningitis warning Leaflets will be distributed by student welfare officers University students are to be warned about the dangers of meningitis when they return for the new academic year in October. The Meningitis Research Foundation is sending leaflets to 800 universities, detailing how to detect signs of the disease. Student welfare officers will distribute the leaflets. There were about 70 recorded cases of meningitis last year on campuses last year including 15 deaths. The worst outbreak occurred at Southampton University where six students picked up the infection, three of whom died. Disease awareness In the population as a whole, the incidence of meningitis is now at an all-time high. After the under-fives, the 15-24 age group is most at risk. "This is why the foundation is trying to promote awareness of the disease", said Julia Warren from the Meningitis Research Foundation. "In lieu of having an effective vaccine, our best defence is awareness of the disease. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment really do lead to the best chances of an early recovery." "Young people tend to think they're indestructible, and aren't particularly vigilant about illnesses. 'Flu-like' symptoms "Also the symptoms are rather 'flu like, and they might just think they've got a hangover. The chances are, they probably have! "But we want them to tell someone if they feel particularly rough, so they can be checked on." Although university students are in a high-risk group, she stressed that going to university did not increase their risk further. "Students who go to university are no more at risk than if they were studying in school, but we just want them to know the facts, and have a vaccination if they feel they want to." Vaccination offer Only students at universities which have had higher than average cases in the past will be offered vaccination. "Unfortunately, this vaccine is not ideal," said Julia Warren. "It is only effective against C-strain meningitis and about 60% of the cases are B-strain, and there is no vaccine for that. In 1997 there were 2,660 reported cases of meningitis in the UK with 243 deaths - an all-time high. Note the data is for meningitis not meningococcal septicimia. Note subsets of data 70 cases 15 deaths 6 cases 3 deaths Too bad this is only for 1997.

To: Robert K. who wrote (7170)	9/4/1998 4:32:00 PM
From: aknahow	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 17367

Thursday, August 27, 1998 Published at 11:05 GMT 12:05 UK Health GPs get help to diagnose killer disease Meningitis causes GPs major concern A new meningitis information pack has been launched to help doctors and nurses diagnose the potentially life threatening disease. The National Meningitis Trust has developed the new pack following research showing GPs fear they may confuse meningitis symptoms with those of influenza, particularly in young children, who are most at risk. There has been an increase in the number of cases of the most dangerous form of the disease - meningococcal meningitis.Several high profile outbreaks have occured at UK universities. Comprehensive data The pack, drawn up with the help of leading experts in the field, provides health professionals with the most comprehensive and up-to-date data yet on meningitis and blood poisoning caused by the disease. It is anticipated that the pack, which includes a video and slides, will be used in medical and nursing schools, as a reference document for doctors and a source of information for patients. Update knowledge Anne-Marie Delrosa, campaigns manager at the National Meningitis Trust, said: "We know that very often there is little time devoted to meningitis in the education of health professionals. "This resource will give them the latest information to reinforce their knowledge. "It will also be a tool they can use to teach their colleagues. We shall update it as medical knowledge progresses so that it can be kept as a continuing reference." GPs appreciate help Dr George Rae, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP prescribing sub-committee, welcomed the new pack. He said: "Everybody, not least GPs, is aware that meningitis is about almost all of the time, and the vast majority of GPs of GPs are always alert to the possibility. "But meningitis is on many occasions very, very difficult to diagnose and any sort of help we can have would be appreciated." Dr Douglas Fleming, director of the Royal College of General Practitioners research unit in Birmingham, said: "The earlier you see a patient in an illness, the more difficult it is to make a diagnosis. "Particularly in young children the onset of feverish illnesses are so similar that it is only when further symptoms begin to manifest themselves that diagnosis becomes easier. Doctors will think of the simple things first." Killer bacteria There are two main forms of meningitis - viral and bacterial. One in 10 patients die of bacterial meningitis and one in seven are permanently disabled. The most common cause of bacterial meningitis is the meningococcal form which causes two types of illness - meningitis and septicaemia. Meningococcal disease is the biggest killer of young children in the UK after cot death. Characteristic signs are often absent in young children, making it difficult to diagnose. Meningitis should be suspected in all patients with headache, fever and neck stiffness. If meningococcal disease is suspected, benzyl penicillin should be administered promptly and the patient should be taken to hospital. Viral meningitis is rarely deadly but can have long-term effects including headaches, depression and lack of energy.