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Page 14 THE HERALD Wednesday January Volunteer visitors address needs of terminally ill Concern over the rise in the AIDS espidemic and addressing the needs of the terminally ill is the motivating force behind the Volunteer Visiting program of the North Halton Hospice Meningitis still found Parents are often faced with the puzzling question of when to call the doctor about a sick child We picture that familiar wait in a crowded office for the doctor about a feverish child with a cold Thankfully the diagnosis is usually a virus and in a few days everything is back to normal Occasionally however these symptoms may signal a more serious problem One of these is meningitis an infection which af the membranes covering the brain and spine An acute form of the illness is caused by various bacteria Symptoms appear sud denly fever intense headache nausea and often vomiting stiff neck and sometimes blood blisters the size of a appear as a body rash In rare cases shock and coma appear immediately the bacteria invade the bloodsream and despite all support measures the child may die In most cases however prompt diagnosis and hospital treatment with antibiotics ensure complete recovery Meningitis is relatively common in our temperate climate witr cases in both urban and rural areas The greatest number of cases occurs during winter and spring and sometimes a cluster of cases occurs in a community The germs that cause meningitis are common ones Usually there is no obvious reason why one child will get a simple cold whereas another infected with the same germ will go on to develop meningitis Since this disease is seen in children and young adults parents wonder how to protect their youngster or teen The bacteria are transmitted by direct contact mcludmg droplets and discharges from the nose or throat of infected persons Often this per son is not ill but is a carrier of the germ This of course means that medical staff are rarely able to discover the source of the men It could be the result of a sneeze on a crowded bus or at a shopping mall or theatre This also means that the family friends and classmates of the sick child are unlikely to catch the infection from the child Since there is therefore no specific way of avoiding this unusual infection the health measures we have learned since childhood are still best covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze a well balance diet rest relaxation and exercise frequent handwashing especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food In the Region of Halton during there were twelve cases meningitis caused by different types of bacteria or viruses These people recovered During seven cases have been reported and one child died of an acute overwhelming infection WITH Your copy Is available at many of our conveniently located dealers like TARGET FOOD STORE ST QEORQETOWN PICK FREE COPY OF THE HERALD TODAY The program is offering a tram program for people interested in the needs of terminally ill peo ple It is a 10week session design ed to teach volunteers communica skills how to handle the emo tional needs of clients and how to help with the practical aspects of living as a person coping minal illness The training program is a week course with eight weeks devoted to the regular course and an extra two weeks ad to train volunteers to deal with AIDS Acquired Immune cy Syndrome patients Volunteers who do not want to deal with people with AIDS are allowed to opt for the eight week The twoweek training program concerning AIDS has just been in to the visiting program in response to a very major concern They re predicting an increase in the disease said Donna Clure who is helping coordinate the program The two weeks are designed to get volunteers to understand AIDS and to dispell many of the fears and myths that have arisen through panic To date the program has dealt mainly with cancer patients Public reaction has been favorable but the organization needs donations It s been quite supportive said Ms McClure but we have to get the public in volved So far the visiting pro gram has been relying on the United Way private donations and fund raising events sponsored by the North Halton Hospice There is a need for additional funding said Ms McClure The training program will begin Jan 12 at 7 p m at Hopedale Mall in Oakville Anyone wishing further tion should contact Donna McClure at the North Hospice at You and Your Blue Box Blue Boxes have been added to Halton Hills Divide and Conquer recycling program By now you should have received your own Blue Box Its part of an important community project to help reduce the household waste that goes into landfill sites and to conserve our precious natural resources You can be part of collect and store newspapers glass bottles and jars beverage and food cans and plastic soft drink containers in your Blue Box Then put it at the curb for pickup by 7 a m on your regular garbage collection day Please bundle all newspapers and inserts or place them in a grocery bag on top of or beside your Blue Box To avoid attracting pests remember to out all containers Our Halton Hills recycling program will only be a success if we all participate If you have any questions call the Blue Box 8775185 Recycling It only works if we al do our part S The soft drink Industry Its container and container material suppliers through Ontario MultiMaterial Recycling Incorporated OMMRI supporting the establishment of recycling programs throughout Ontario