Neisseria meningitidis; It is an encapsulated bacterium with 13 strains identified so far, but there are a total of five strains that infect humans: A, C, Y, W-135 and B. These strains have a high disease potential, especially under one year of age. 40% of meningococcal infections under one year of age are caused by group B and 60% are due to A, C, Y and W-135 strains.
Approximately 500,000 meningococcal diseases are diagnosed every year in the world, 50,000 to 150,000 of which result in death. In other words, unfortunately, at least 10% of those who contract the disease die, and the rate of disability and permanent symptoms in those who survive is around 30%.
Remember this: Meningitis is usually transmitted to children through the respiratory tract. In other words, a person carrying meningococcal bacteria may cough, sneeze, etc. Inhaling the secretions emitted by it is sufficient for infection.(the transmitter does not have to be sick)Asymptomatic carriers. The bacteria first settles in the mucosa and lymph nodes in the respiratory tract, multiplies there, causes a mild fever, and then mixes with the blood from there. Bacteria mixed into the blood can go to the brain and cause meningitis or mix with the entire bloodstream.
The most tiring incident in the clinic regarding meningococcal disease is; The disease progresses quite rapidly. The disease, which begins with a simple complaint of fever, can cause serious respiratory effects within hours.
In the first 6 hours; Fever, restlessness, head and throat pain, and nasal congestion, which can be seen in every febrile infection, are not specific to this disease and it is impossible to understand that the symptoms are due to meningococcus bacteria.
In 6-18 hours: Classical meningococcemia disease symptoms begin: Sensitivity to light, neck stiffness and bleeding rashes on the skin.
In 18-24 hours:In untreated cases, the disease can progress very quickly and result in loss of consciousness, seizures, coma and death.
Therefore, I believe that vaccination of a disease with such a high risk of mortality is essential.
Meningitis vaccine application in children
As with many infectious diseases, protection against meningococcal disease is possible with vaccination. In our country, 40% of meningococcal infections in children under 1 year of age are caused by type B and 60% by type A, C, Y, W-135.
Vaccine side effect aspect; Stiffness, redness, increased temperature, mild fever and restlessness may occur. It is necessary to compress the area with local temperature increase and redness with a towel dipped in cold water and give an antipyretic.
There is no problem with the simultaneous administration of vaccines.
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