Inflammation of the damage surrounding the brain and spinal cord is called meningitis.
Bacteria, viruses and fungal parasites can cause this disease.
The main bacteria that cause this disease are H. influenza, pneumococcus and meningococcus. The frequency of meningitis also varies depending on the seasons. H. influenza meningitis is mainly seen in autumn and winter, and pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis is seen in winter and early spring. Although meningitis is seen at all ages, the risk is quite high in newborns and children under 1 year of age.
After the H. influenza and pneumococcal vaccine entered routine practice in our country, meningitis due to pneumococcal vaccine and H. Influenza has decreased significantly. And meningococcal infections have become the most important cause of meningitis. Despite advances in medical treatment, meningococcal infection can cause fatal disease in healthy children and adolescents. Due to the structure of meningococcus bacteria, A, B, C, W-135 AND Y are responsible for most infections in humans.
Meningococcus is transmitted through droplets or respiratory secretions such as using a shared glass or kissing. Situations such as viral respiratory infections (influenza, etc.), exposure to cigarette smoke, and staying in a dormitory increase the risk of disease.
Meningococcal disease is most commonly seen in babies under 1 year of age.
At the beginning, sore throat. It can mimic diseases caused by other bacteria and viruses, such as fever, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. For this reason, diagnosis may be delayed. Cold hands and feet and abnormal skin color are also early symptoms. As patients get older, symptoms lose specificity. In young children, there may be subtle findings such as decreased ability to absorb heat, restlessness, and lack of interest in the environment. Older children have classic meningitis symptoms such as headache, change in consciousness, sensitivity to light, and vomiting. In the early stages, the disease can be confused with gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, and neck infections. In meningococcal meningitis, the typical skin rash we call petechiae and purpura may develop within hours, and hypotension/bleeding in the adrenal glands progresses to renal failure and coma. 90% of bacterial meningitis cases seen in our country are caused by meningococcus. Meningococcal meningitis is seen It results in the death of one in every 10 people and the permanent disability of 3 in every 10 people. Deafness is the most important neurological form of meningitis.
Apart from this, permanent disabilities such as limb loss (due to gangrene), speech impairment and learning difficulties may be observed.
Meningococcal vaccine is not yet included in the routine vaccination program in our country.
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The vaccine against type B was licensed and implemented in our country in November 2018. The vaccine can be administered from the 2nd month. Different doses and posologies are applied depending on the age at which the first dose is given. After the age of 2, 2 doses are administered at least 2 months apart.
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