Meningitis CDs sent out to medics

The Meningitis Research Foundation is sending hospitals and medical schools an educational CD-ROM about the symptoms of the disease in children.

The Thornbury-based foundation plans to distribute 20,000 of the CDs to healthcare professionals.

A recent study found junior doctors had confused some forms of the disease.

Head of research at the foundation Linda Glennie said: "We felt there were things we could do to help doctors learn from the cases in the study."

Prompt diagnosis crucial

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes enclosing the brain and spinal cord by bacteria or virus.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal in June 2005, found a few simple errors repeatedly led to delayed or inadequate treatment.

Its authors reported: "The most junior doctors were often faced with very sick children, clearly outside their clinical experience."

"Meningitis and septicaemia can develop so quickly that a child could be fighting for life within hours of the onset of symptoms.

"This is why prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are so crucial.

"We are delighted to bring this vital new resource to junior doctors, which we hope will save lives," said Denise Vaughan, Meningitis Research Foundation Chief Executive.