Does meningococcal disease cause pain?

Meningococcal disease is on the rise and causes dangerous, life-threatening complications if not detected and treated promptly. The following article will help you recognize the symptoms and related knowledge about meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease or meningococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Neisseria meningitidis is divided into 12 subgroups based on cystic polysaccharides, of which groups A, B, C, W, X, and Y are the main causes of the disease. In Vietnam, meningococcal disease is mainly caused by groups of bacteria A, B and C.
Pathology can occur in everyone, however, children under 5 years old and young people under 25 years old. have a higher risk of disease. Research by scientists shows that group B bacteria are the cause of 40% of meningococcal disease cases, of which about 60% of patients are children and adults under 25 years old; Bacteria of groups C, Y, and W account for less disease but are more common in adults, with about 65% of patients over 25 years of age.
The existence of these groups of bacteria in the body is in the throat and nose. They can enter the body through the mucosa and cause disease. The disease is transmitted through the air through close contact with an infected person. Some other routes of disease transmission such as eating, talking, sharing personal items with sick people will create conditions for bacteria to enter the body through the respiratory tract or saliva containing bacteria transmitted from person to person. others.

Pathology has a source of infection as a carrier and about 25% of sick people carry the bacteria but do not have typical clinical symptoms and 50% of normal healthy people carry meningococcal bacteria. Therefore, what symptoms does meningococcal disease cause and whether patients with meningococcal disease have pain is a matter of great concern.
Pathologies that cause different symptoms by age as follows:
For children: High fever, fussiness, vomiting, refusal to breastfeed, photophobia and erythema on the body, widespread bruising; For adults: In the new-onset stage, the patient has symptoms of high fever, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, photophobia, stiff neck, headache caused by meningococcal disease, and the body appears erythematous. mainly in the hip, lower extremities, some patients have conjunctival hemorrhage. In the severe stage of the disease, the patient may fall into a coma, convulsion, loss of consciousness; Skin hemorrhages that get darker, become dark purple or black, and spread. Pathology includes the following clinical forms:
Acute purulent meningitis; Meningococcal bacteremia; Arthritis, endocarditis caused by meningococcal bacteria; In addition, in many cases the patient is infected with meningococcal bacteria but only has fever and/or nasopharyngitis. In the endemic areas, the number of patients infected with bacteria without showing symptoms accounts for 5-10%. Asymptomatic infections have a high rate in outbreaks and are also an important source of community transmission.

To provide appropriate treatment, the doctor will conduct a blood sample or cerebrospinal fluid sample of the patient. After determining the cause of the disease, the treatment method is determined based on the principle of using antibiotics and anti-shock (if any). Antibiotics work to kill the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease in the throat. However, treatment with antibiotics only works to prevent the progression of the disease, reduce the risk of infecting others, but is not a specific treatment for the disease. Depending on the patient's condition for the doctor to choose the appropriate antibiotic and dosage.
Therefore, vaccination is considered an effective method to prevent and reduce the risk of death from meningococcal disease. Currently, meningococcal vaccines of serogroup A and B are highly effective. However, there is still no vaccine to prevent group W, X, and C while every year, nearly 30,000 people get meningococcal disease related to this group of bacteria. The vaccines in use today include the Mengoc BC vaccine and the Menactra vaccine.
Mengoc vaccine prevents diseases caused by bacteria groups B and C:
1st dose: The first injection is for children from 6 years old to adults 45 years old; The second dose is about 6-8 weeks after the first injection. Menactra vaccine prevents diseases caused by groups of bacteria A, C, Y, W - 135 and is recommended to be given in groups of 6 - 55 years of age:
Children 9 - 23 months of age: 2 doses spaced 3 months; Children 24 months to adults 55 years: Single dose.

To prevent the risk of meningococcal disease and reduce the risk of community spread, the Ministry of Health recommends that everyone take good preventive measures as follows:
Good personal hygiene and cleanliness: Use physiological saline solution to rinse your mouth, build a habit of washing hands with antiseptic solution, antibacterial soap after contact with objects in public places. Do not come into close contact with sick people, do not share personal items such as towels, dishes, drinking cups, etc. Wear a mask in crowded places. In case of symptoms of high fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, stiff neck, etc., patients should immediately go to medical facilities for diagnosis. timely diagnosis and treatment. Vaccinate children and people at high risk for disease. Meningococcal disease is an extremely dangerous disease, causing serious health effects and life-threatening. Therefore, the application of preventive measures, equipped with medical knowledge about pathology is extremely important for everyone. Besides the meningococcal vaccine, Vinmec International Hospital is currently providing a Package Immunization Program with a wide variety of vaccines for different audiences, from infants. , children, adults, women before and during pregnancy.

The advantages of vaccination at Vinmec include:
Customers will be examined by specialist doctors, fully screened for physical and health problems, and advised on preventive vaccines and vaccines. injection regimen, monitoring and post-vaccination care before giving the indication for vaccination according to the latest recommendations of the Ministry of Health & World Health Organization to ensure the best effectiveness and safety for the patient. young. A team of experienced and professional pediatric doctors and nurses, understand children's psychology and apply effective pain relief methods for children during the vaccination process. 100% of vaccinated customers are monitored 30 minutes after injection and reassessed before leaving. Undertake medical supervision before, during and after vaccination at Vinmec Health System and always have an emergency team ready to coordinate with the vaccination department to handle cases of anaphylaxis, respiratory failure - circulatory arrest, ensuring Ensure timely and correct handling when incidents occur. The vaccination room is airy, with a play area, helping customers feel comfortable as if they are walking and have a good mentality before and after vaccination. Vaccines are imported and stored in a modern cold storage system, with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, keeping vaccines in the best conditions to ensure quality. For customers who are children, parents will receive a reminder message before the vaccination date and the child's vaccination information will be synchronized with the national immunization information system.