WITH all the hysteria flying around about Swine Flu, let us not forget a particularly vicious disease that affects many more people, especially youngsters.
Meningitis is a horrific illness that this year claimed the life of Shazia Ahmed, a 25-year-old from Blackbird Leys.
Now some of her friends have made it their work to campaign for better understanding and education of the disease and its symptoms.
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and the diseases takes many forms.
The most common symptoms are severe headaches.
When Shazia fell ill, she complained of suffering from headaches and feeling sick, but delayed visiting a doctor.
It is not known whether seeking medical help earlier could have saved her life.
But her friends want others to use her tragic death as a stark reminder that it is always better to be safe than sorry and visit a doctor at the earliest possible opportunity if in any doubt.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article