People once had a irrational fear of falling off the end of earth.
People have become more sophisticated (arguable) but only the fears have
changed. I got 10 calls this weekend worried specifically about
Meningococcal Meningitis. Some are pressing flesh with glass slides and
performing 24hr vigils on children. There is no outbreak in this area.
Although the media are doing a good job of heightening awareness of this
pernicious condition I fear they are making a less ideal job of keeping
the condition in perspective. But then that doesn't make good copy.
One health correspondent in one of our broadsheets stated. " Meningitis
is carried at the back of the throat of a lot of people"
I have seen one case of bacterial meningitis in 10 years. Is this
unusually small number of cases?
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