There is a medical alert in Maramureș, where two cases of meningococcal meningitis were discovered. It is about a student who studies at the “George Bariţiu” Technological High School in Baia Mare and one who studies at the “Mihai Eminescu” National College in the same city. Epidemiologist Mihai Negrea, specialist in health policies, explained to “Adevărul” that are the devastating effects of this disease but also how it can be prevented. “The sad thing is that this condition can be prevented by vaccination,” said the doctor.
Meningococcal meningitis can kill within 48 hours. Source: archive
“Normally, in my opinion, with how bad this disease can get, all contacts should be vaccinated for free. But, in their case, the prophylactic treatment only involves the administration of antibiotics”, declared epidemiologist Mihai Negrea. “Only risk-free prophylaxis should be optional. I mean parents who want to immunize their children to protect them in the future. Here things are quite clear. They have to buy the vaccine,” said the doctor.
I asked the specialist if this vaccine should not, however, be included in the mandatory vaccination schedule, considering the severity of the disease. “The disease really can kill in 48 hours. But, even so, annually, the number of cases of illness is small. Therefore, there is no point in vaccinating an entire population,” explained the doctor.
Fulminant meningitis, as the condition is also called, is highly contagious and kills within 48 hours if the patient is not treated. Children, adolescents and elderly people are at risk, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases and have a weakened immune system. “What is very worrying here is that the diagnosis is made, most of the time, very late. Laboratory tests are needed, and the results come within a few days. Microbiology involves actually growing a culture, and this process takes three or four days. But PATIENTduring this time, he can lose his life”, warn the doctor.
Sudden and extremely aggressive symptoms
What should parents know? First, they should vaccinate their children preventively. Second, they should recognize the symptoms of this disease. “Meningococcal meningitis involves an inflammation of the meninges, i.e. the covering of the brain and spinal cord. The disease, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is transmitted through the air through saliva and fluids. It involves 13 types of bacteria, however, only five are responsible for causing this condition (types A, B, C, Y and W135). In Europe in particular, the most common types present include types B and C.” Symptoms include headache, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and the appearance of red spots on the skin. Meningococcal meningitis begins suddenly, the symptoms become more and more serious, and the patient’s condition deteriorates rapidly.
Prevention, only through vaccination
“But what’s even worse is that this condition, as lethal as it is, is easily preventable,” warns the doctor. Vaccination can be done from the age of 6 weeks, and there are four types of vaccine on the market here. Two of them, Bexsero and Trumenba, are dedicated to type B of the bacteria, and Nimenrix and MenQuadfi are dedicated to types A, C, W and Y. “It is recommended to immunize ourselves against all types”, says the doctor. The price of these vaccines is not cheap, but if you think that immunization can make the difference between life and death, it can practically save your child, money should no longer matter”. the epidemiologist Mihai Negrea also specified.
