MAN FLU OR MENINGITIS?

MEN are notoriously reluctant to take their health seriously and are much less likely than women to consult their doctor. With National Men’s Health Week (June 14 - 20)upon us, the Meningitis Trust is encouraging men to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and to be aware of its range of free professional support services available to them.

The Trust’s main objective for National Men’s Health week is to improve men’s awareness of the range of health-related services in the UK which are available to them.  There is a common misconception that meningitis only affects children – this misconception could cost lives. Meningitis is a serious disease that can strike anyone, of any age, at any time; striking in minutes and killing within hours. For those who survive, many will be left with life-changing after-effects including brain damage, hearing and sight loss, memory loss, concentration problems and where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs and scarring.

The Meningitis Trust is urging men to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and for those men who have been affected by the disease to access its professional services, which range from a freephone 24-hour nurse-staffed helpline (0800 028 18 28), professional counselling to financial support grants.

1 in 10 men admit to avoiding seeking help from a health professional because they are scared it might end in a hospital visit. An additional 10% would rather stick their head in the sand to avoid the embarrassment of discussing their health issues with a doctor.  There is no room for complacency with regards to meningitis as the symptoms are so similar to flu - even a hangover!

Norman Litvin, 43, a Surgeon, knows how important it is to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis. He had flu-like symptoms and felt unwell for 72 hours. He was treated at an out-of-hours GP facility with penicillin and then rushed to hospital. He spent 7 days in hospital and was left with reduced hearing in his left ear for about 4 weeks. Norman is one of the lucky ones as his hearing returned to normal and he has been left with no lasting after-effects.  Norman Litvin says:- “If I had one piece of advice it would be for people not to ignore typical early symptoms. If in doubt seek medical advice early on – it might just be the flu, but better to get yourself checked sooner rather than later.”

Although men are known to be just as likely as women to contract meningitis, figures from the Meningitis Trust show that they are much less likely than women to take up the support services available to them. Men currently account for under 20% of all those accessing the Trust’s professional support services.

The Meningitis Trust’s Services and Education Director, Bridie Taylor, says:- “When faced with bereavement or the disabling after-effects of meningitis, women will instinctively seek counselling and support. Men, on the other hand, can find themselves isolated and unable to share their emotions, they may try and cope alone with depression, anger and bewilderment.”

Signs and symptoms can include:-

Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Dislike of bright lights
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Confusion
Aching joints and muscles

The symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

If meningitis has had a lasting effect on you or someone close to you, or if you would like information on signs and symptoms, the Meningitis Trust is here to help. You can call the 24 hour nurse-staffed helpline on:- 0800 028 1828. 

Israel bans MEP from Gaza

A North West Euro-MP has been banned by Israel from gaining access to the Gaza Strip from its territory.  Israeli embassy staff have written to Chris Davies to say that they will no longer “facilitate the entry of political delegations to Gaza.”  But the Liberal Democrat MEP, who has made 4 visits to Gaza, has accused Israeli of trying to prevent the world from understanding the consequences of its policies.  He said:- “I’m not surprised that Israel wants to keep politicians away from Gaza. Every time one visits they return horrified at the results of Israeli policies that leave more than a million people undergoing collective punishment for having voted the ‘wrong’ way.”

The Israeli army has maintained a blockade of Gaza since January 2006, when Palestinian elections resulted in a small majority for supporters of Hamas, an organisation that refuses to recognise the State of Israel.  The embargo was tightened the following year after violent clashes between Palestinian groups left Hamas in sole command of Gaza.  Limited humanitarian supplies are allowed through Israeli checkpoints but the United Nations say these meet only one quarter of the needs. They include nothing that might support the economy or assist the reconstruction of thousands of buildings destroyed last year by the Israeli assault.

Last month an attempt to draw attention to the blockade led to the death of nine volunteers when Israeli troops boarded ships heading for Gaza in international waters.  

In a letter to Chris Davies, Israel describes Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organisation which openly calls for Israel’s destruction and appears on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations.”

The accumulation of political visits, it is argued, “not only undermines Israel’s security but also undermines the efforts of the Palestinian Authority to lead the Palestinian people to peace.”

Davies, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Palestine Delegation, described Israel’s policies as cruel and self-defeating. He is calling for the British government to open direct talks with Hamas.  He said:- “Half the people of Gaza are under 18. They haven’t voted for anyone, yet Israel denies them educational opportunities and the prospect of jobs. How does this give hope for a peaceful future?  I don’t agree with the policies of Hamas but the organisation cannot be ignored. The new British government should follow the lead of the Russian president and meet with their representatives face to face.  You cannot make peace without talking to your enemies.”

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - MAN FOUND DEAD IN ANFIELD

MERSEYSIDE Police and the Liverpool Coroners Office are appealing for help in tracing the next of kin of a man found dead in Anfield on Sunday, 13 June 2010.  The unidentified man was found collapsed outside a house in Belmont Road, Anfield at around 7am by a passer-by. He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital suffering from a suspected cardiac arrest but died later in hospital.  There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death but initial enquiries have failed to establish who he is.  He was found lying next to a pink coloured Raleigh 'Manta' mountain bike and is described as being white, aged in his 50s or 60s, around 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with light grey hair. He was slightly balding and was wearing a red coloured cap, along with beige coloured three-quarter length Nike shorts, a blue and white Timberland tracksuit top with a blue Cardin t-shirt underneath, and blue canvas shoes.  The victim did not have anything in his pockets that identified him but he was carrying a set of keys with a distinctive silver-coloured dollar sign key ring attached to them, and was wearing a silver Casio watch.  Anyone who can help identify the man so that his next of kin can be contacted is asked to call:- 0151 233 4700.