Reports of people dying from the aftermath of meningitis continue to disturb. Find out how this is expressed – and what you can do about it here.
The European Vaccination Week started on April 20, 2020: “Every year, the WHO European Region celebrates the European Vaccination Week (EIW) to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination measures for disease prevention and the protection of human life,” it says on the website of the World Health Organization (WHO). Measles is not the only disease that has largely disappeared due to the development of a vaccine. Many other vaccines save countless lives every year, such as the meningococcal vaccination in children.
Tragedies like this happen again and again: In Rosbach, Hesse, an eight-year-old girl had to be picked up from school by her parents in early March 2018 because she was doing badly. When her complaints got worse, she immediately went to a children’s clinic in Gießen. But too late – the student died a few days later.
Eight-year-old girl dies of meningitis
She is said to have died of meningitis, also known as meningitis. According to the Hessenschau, 40 people at risk were identified in the school and surrounding area who had to do with the child.
But the all-clear was quickly given: allegedly an infection was extremely “unlikely”, medical officer Reinhold Merbs from the health department in the Wetteraukreis told the online portal. What many do not know: The Meningitis is reported, therefore the health department was ultimately alarmed.
But what is meningitis?
This leads to a Inflammation of the cerebral or spinal cord membranes (Meninges). Meningitis is divided into two forms, depending on the trigger. So there is viral and bacterial Meningitis. The former is caused by viruses and is the most common.
The latter is caused by bacteria (Pneumococci or meningococci) triggered, but this is less common. According to the pharmacy survey, the disease rate should be less than 0.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. However, there are other pathogens, such as Mushroomsthat can attack the meninges. If the inflammation also affects the brain, it is ultimately meningoencephalitis.
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Symptoms of inflammation of the brain
With meningitis, various complaints can occur in those affected. The perfidious thing about it: Often they resemble those of a flu. This includes:
- fever
- chills
- strong headache
- Vomit
- Neck stiffness
- epileptic seizures
- dizziness
- Hearing disorders
- languor
- red or brown skin discoloration (due to additional blood poisoning)
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Viral and bacterial meningitis – one is milder, the other fatal
The two forms of meningitis cannot be clearly distinguished from each other at first. However, doctors report that the viral meningitis often milder should run. The rarer, bacterial form on the other hand, it is not quite as harmless – today it is mainly caused by the pneumococci. If you are not immediately treated in a hospital, can usually be fatal. So also with the little girl from Rosbach.
also read: This young mother refused antibiotics – for the sake of her child. But it ends tragically.
This is how the diagnosis of meningitis is made
Nevertheless, in both cases, due to the similar initial symptoms, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately or go to the emergency room. For this purpose, blood is drawn from the affected person and, in the case of a lumbar puncture, nerve water near the lumbar spine is removed. That is why it was so important to find out who was around the student who was in contact with her.
Is Meningitis Contagious?
Although in the end everything went off lightly for them, can others beautiful in infected
plug in ell. After all, the pathogens are usually Droplet infection transmitted, for example when shaking hands, coughing or sneezing. Especially people who already have a weakened immune system should avoid contact with infected people.
Treatment of viral and bacterial meningitis
These must then be observed and, if necessary, treated with antibiotics. In general, if meningitis is detected early, it can do very well with one Antibiotic therapy be eliminated. With viral meningitis, on the other hand, it is sufficient to take care of yourself and to guard the bed. After all, it usually heals within two weeks. If you have severe symptoms, you can also take antipyretic and anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
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Can you get vaccinated against meningitis?
But also Vaccinations have proven to be a safe preventive measure in the past. There are currently vaccinations against the bacterial pathogens:
- Meningococcal types C, B, A, W and Y
- Pneumococcal
- Haemophilus influenzae
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“Meningitis is not infrequently the result of a mumps infection. Vaccination can also be carried out against this infectious disease, as well as against the causative agent of early summer meningo-encephalitis (TBE),” inform the pediatricians online.
To date, there is no vaccine against the milder variant, viral meningitis. Here are the main triggers above all
- Enteroviruses (Coxsackieviruses)
- Herpes viruses
- Eppstein-Barr viruses
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Meningitis: These groups of people are particularly at risk
While viral meningitis often breaks out in autumn and spring, bacterial meningitis often occurs in the winter to spring months. The pharmacy survey continues to report that particularly from early January to late April, about 30 to 40 percent of cases occur.
Above all, are affected Babies, (small) children as well as adolescents or seniors from 60 years. That is why the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends that babies be vaccinated against the bacterial pathogens pneumo- and meningococci as well as Haemophilus influenzae and mumps viruses at the age of one year.
Please note: The tips in this article are NOT a substitute for a doctor’s visit. If you have any complaints, you should always see your family doctor to rule out possible risks.
Other sources: http://www.euro.who.int/de; www.kinderaerzte-im-netz.de
also read: This young bride died shortly after the wedding – because she already had a bacterial infection?
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