Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases, mainly in young children, the most dangerous is pneumococcal meningitis with a mortality rate of up to 30%. The disease has the ability to spread quickly and seriously affect health

Part 1: What is pneumococcal meningitis and what causes it?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Pneumococcal meningitis is one of the diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, with high mortality rate and severe sequelae.

Classification of Pneumococcal meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis is defined by the way pneumococcal bacteria enter the meninges, including:

• from the foci of inflammation near the meninges, the spinal cord, enter, such as ear infections, mastoiditis, cranial osteomyelitis, sinusitis, orbital inflammation, myositis along the spine…, pneumococcus invades meninges via access or through the lymphatic route.
• Bacteria from a distant inflammatory foci (such as fossa, pneumonia, endocarditis, uterine infection, intestinal infection, urinary tract infection, etc.) cause sepsis and bacteria cross the vascular barrier. blood-meninges into the meninges.

The causes to the Pneumococcal meningitis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumococcal bacteria cause more than 50% of bacterial meningitis cases in the United States. An estimated 2,000 cases of pneumococcal meningitis occur each year.

Streptococcus pneumoniae reside in the pharynx of adults and children, with 40-70% of healthy children carrying pneumococci in the nasopharynx. This is the leading cause of serious life-threatening diseases, especially in children under 5 years old such as pharyngitis, rhinitis, otitis media, more seriously pneumonia, meningitis, bacterial infection. blood. Among them, meningitis is the most difficult to detect and dangerous disease.

Part 2: Symptoms and progression of pneumococcal meningitis

Streptococcus pneumoniae thrive in winter-spring. The disease is most spread through the air and contact with sick or healthy people who carry pneumococcal bacteria. Actions such as sneezing, coughing, kissing or children playing with toys have the potential to spread disease-causing bacteria and infect pneumococcal meningitis.

For healthy people, the body’s resistance is very good, so the bacteria usually just stay and do not cause disease. However, for young children, because the resistance is immature and incomplete, pneumococcal bacteria are easy to attack and cause disease.

Pneumococcal meningitis has an incubation period of usually 1 week. The disease has an acute onset in 1-2 days, followed by a full-blown phase.

Pneumococcal disease is common in children under 2 years old and in the elderly, especially those over 85 years old. The risk of pneumococcal infection and serious illness is also higher in children younger than 5 years of age with comorbidities, people with weakened immune systems, people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, smokers and diseases of the liver, lungs, kidneys, heart.

• Disease symptoms:

Pneumococcal meningitis caused by a bacterial infection is difficult to detect. The disease leaves many serious consequences for sufferers. When infected, symptoms are usually headache, vomiting. This manifestation is easily confused with gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, the disease also presents with high fever and headache within hours, even days. People infected with meningitis are very sensitive to light, stiff neck, loss of appetite, impaired consciousness, lethargy. Meningitis caused by pneumococcal infection, if not detected and properly treated, can leave neurological sequelae.

• Stages of disease development:

The meninges are filled with cerebrospinal fluid – this is where bacteria can multiply and start secreting toxins, causing the meninges and brain tissue to become inflamed and swollen. This puts pressure on the brain, triggering symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, and photophobia. The child becomes irritable, fussy, sleepy, swollen fontanel, high fever, irregular breathing, vomiting…

For young children, the common symptoms are frequent nighttime crying and prolonged breastfeeding, high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc., which are easily confused with digestive diseases. When the disease is exacerbated, the child will have a severe headache, convulsions, shortness of breath or confusion. If not detected and treated promptly, it will lead to coma within 48 hours or even death, permanent brain damage leading to underdevelopment or weakness of a limb or hem…

 

Part 3: Prevention of pneumococcal meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis is a dangerous disease, but it can be prevented effectively early on if you know how to combine full vaccinations and adjust healthy daily living habits.

1. Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pneumococcal meningitis. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all children over 6 months of age and adults, especially high-risk groups, including: Teenagers living in common areas such as dormitories, boarding schools, military camps; laboratory workers at risk of exposure to the bacteria that cause meningitis; tourists coming from endemic areas of meningitis; Immunocompromised people including cases of spleen loss, complement deficiency or HIV infection are also among the high-risk groups for which vaccination is recommended.

2. Do not share personal belongings

Meningitis can be spread when a healthy person comes into contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions, through kissing or sharing personal items. Prevent pneumococcal meningitis by not sharing personal items containing secretions from an infected person, such as drinking glasses, water bottles, straws, toothbrushes, lipsticks, cigarettes.

3. Keep your distance from the sick person

The bacteria that cause meningitis usually reside in the secretions of the throat and nose, and can be transmitted by coughing and sneezing. If someone you know has a respiratory infection, keep a distance of at least 3 feet (1 meter). Similarly, when you cough or sneeze, bend your head to your elbow so that the droplets stick to your sleeve and don’t spread far, then wash your hands. Remember, just with careful precautions, pneumococcal meningitis is not contagious.

4. Wash your hands

Just like cold and flu viruses, the virus and bacteria that cause meningitis can get from your hands into your mouth. You can prevent meningitis by washing often with soap or an antibacterial solution, especially after going to the bathroom, changing a baby’s diaper, after returning home, and after coughing or sneezing. When washing your hands, don’t forget to scrub both the front and back of your hands and each finger. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds, then rinse and dry with a towel.

5. Strengthen the immune system

A healthy immune system is able to protect the body from the effects of pneumococcal bacteria that cause meningitis. Boost immunity by eating healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. Taking care of your health is especially important when you have a chronic medical condition or are taking medications that affect the immune system.

6. Timely examination and treatment

If you have close contact with a patient with meningitis or a person suspected of having the disease and show unusual symptoms that suggest meningitis, immediately go to a medical facility for examination and diagnosis. Here, doctors will conduct diagnostic tests for meningitis, if you have pneumococcal meningitis, you will be prescribed antibiotics to prevent the disease from progressing. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs and supportive treatment may be used.

 

Reference: tamanhhospital.vn & vnvc.vn

 

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