Protecting oneself from the meningo virus

Prevention, they say, is better than cure. If this was applied to all health concerns, numerous outbreaks could have been prevented. This is certainly true about the meningococcemia outbreak that hit Baguio City in 2004. The outbreak was eventually controlled but the disease did not totally disappear.

What, actually, is meningococcemia? Meningococcemia is an infection of the bloodstream caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. Not too many people realize the fact that the bacteria are apparently present in our upper respiratory tact – the nose and throat – but it does not cause any harm. In short, it is an illness just waiting to happen.

Occasionally, the bacteria turn aggressive and cause us to have fever, feel irritable and break out in spotty red or purple rashes. These symptoms might even take a turn for the worse when our blood pressure plummets and we experience multiple organ failure.

When this happens, you will land in the intensive care unit and there is a possibility that you can die within 24 hours.

But why wait for all this to happen when you can prevent meningococcemia by being vaccinated against the meningococcal bacteria?

In the Philippines, for every one million people at risk, only one will develop meningococcemia. This risk increases when you live in an area where meningococcemia is common; in a crowded or poorly ventilated environment; when you have weak body resistance and have another illness like bronchitis or diabetes.

Proper personal hygiene is also another way of preventing the spread of meningococcemia. Since the bacteria are spread through respiratory droplets, you can prevent the spread by covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Frequent hand washing is also recommended, especially before touching your eyes, nose, mouth or face.

However, the most effective way of preventing meningococcemia is still through vaccination. The meningococcal virus has many different strains but Euro-A&C can cover two of the most common strains in the Philippines.

Euro-A&C is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Global Vaccine Express (Glovax).

With branches located all over the country, Glovax can deliver Euro-A&C at your doctor’s doorstep in 30 minutes with its friendly call center which uses top-of-the-line customer relations management that guarantees high response rate of clients’ needs.

Glovax also makes sure that it distributes the highest quality vaccines delivered fresh to the doctors.

For more information, log on to http://www.global-vaccine.com.