How dangerous is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal meningitis is a dangerous infection, not uncommon but can cause very serious consequences if not detected and treated promptly.

The disease can lead to many dangerous complications such as sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, otitis media, and epiglottitis. Of these, meningitis is the most common complication and can have serious consequences.

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According to medical experts, meningococcal meningitis can appear suddenly with a variety of symptoms. Initially, the patient may experience atypical signs such as fever, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and sore throat. However, these symptoms may be unclear and easily confused with other common diseases.

Typical symptoms of the disease include a petechiae rash, stiff neck, and photophobia. If left untreated, the disease can progress to later symptoms such as coma, delirium, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, the patient may die.

Meningococcal meningitis is completely curable if detected early and treated promptly. It is important to follow the treatment regimen correctly and closely monitor the patient's condition.

To prevent the spread of meningococcal meningitis, especially in epidemic areas, doctors recommend that people limit large gatherings and avoid unnecessary meetings. Authorities need to set up epidemic control stations and closely monitor those who come into contact with patients.

In addition, disinfection and sterilization of patient's nasopharyngeal secretions are extremely important to reduce the risk of infection. Close contacts of patients in endemic areas should be monitored regularly for body temperature and other symptoms that may be related to meningococcal meningitis. Doctors recommend the use of sulfonamide or penicillin solutions for nasal and throat drops for patients and contacts.

Doctors particularly emphasize the importance of good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent meningococcal meningitis. People should wear masks when in contact with or caring for sick people, and always maintain good hand hygiene.

In particular, one of the most effective preventive measures is vaccination. Vaccination helps the body fight against the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis, thereby reducing the risk of disease and protecting public health.

Doctor Nguyen Tuan Hai, vaccination expert of Safpo/Potec Vaccination System, said that meningococcal bacteria have 13 serotypes that cause disease, of which 5 groups are common in Vietnam: A, B, C, Y, W-135.

According to Dr. Hai, children under 1 year old, especially children under 5 months old, are at the highest risk of contracting group B meningococcus. In children under 1 year old, the rate of invasive meningococcal meningitis is 10 times higher (3.6/100,000) than the population rate (0.28/100,000) and serogroup B accounts for 65% of cases.

According to doctors, early prevention of group B meningococcal meningitis in children is very important.

In addition, people need to fully and on schedule vaccinate against other brain diseases such as pneumococcal vaccine, measles vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, meningococcal meningitis vaccine... to avoid the risk of disease overlapping or weakened health, making them susceptible to meningococcal bacteria attacks in the context of complex weather and many epidemics at risk of outbreaks like today.

Meningococcal meningitis is not the only disease that can cause meningitis. Enterovirus meningitis or pneumococcal meningitis are also common causes of meningitis.

Each type of meningitis has different characteristics and treatments, so distinguishing meningococcal meningitis from other meningitis diseases is very important for accurate treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/benh-viem-nao-mo-cau-nguy-hiem-the-nao-d246470.html