Brighton school pupil treated for meningitis

A school pupil from Brighton is being treated in hospital for meningitis.

The student from the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) in Falmer was taken ill just over a week ago.

The Health Protection Agency health protection unit for Sussex and Surrey said that it “has been notified of a case of meningococcal meningitis in a young adult from Brighton”.

The agency said: “Close household contacts have been offered antibiotics as a precaution to stop the bacteria spreading.

“Letters have been sent to parents of children attending (BACA) informing them of the situation and reassuring them that the risk of any further cases is extremely low.

“Meningococcal bacteria are carried in the back of the throat of about one in ten people at any one time but only rarely cause illness.

“Most who carry the bacteria become immune to them. The bacteria do not spread easily.

“Diagnosis in the early stages can sometimes be difficult. The early signs can be similar to bad flu symptoms.

“If anyone becomes ill with some of these signs or symptoms, contact the doctor urgently and ask for advice.”

For more information visit the Meningitis Trust website at www.meningitis-trust.org.uk.