The transmission route of meningococcal disease, how to treat the disease according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thanh Hung - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Meningococcal disease is an acute, rapidly progressive and life-threatening bacterial infection with a high mortality rate. Meningococcal disease is contagious and how to treat it is a question many people wonder.

Meningococcal disease is an acute bacterial infection caused by meningococcal bacteria, usually in children. People with the disease often develop sudden symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting. stiff neck, often with stellate or vesicular purpura.
Meningococcal bacteria can cause many different diseases such as: acute purulent meningitis, meningococcal bacteremia. arthritis, inflammation of the gills in the heart. In addition, many cases of meningococcal infection only show fever, nasopharyngitis, up to 5-15% of people infected with meningococcal do not show any symptoms as the source of infection.

Meningococcal disease is not contagious is a common question of patients to prevent transmission to relatives and the community. In fact, meningococcal disease can be transmitted from person to person. The source and route of infection are as follows:
2.1. Source of infection Is a carrier of meningococcal bacteria, can be infected and show symptoms, but mostly healthy carriers.
In outbreaks, up to 25% of people have atypical symptoms, 50% of people are carriers but have no symptoms, this is the main source of infection in the community.
2.2. Path of disease transmission

The disease is transmitted by direct respiratory contact with meningococcal droplets of an infected person. Other routes of transmission are by contact with objects, but are very rare.
Infectious period: Depending on the existence of meningococcal bacteria in the oropharynx of the infected person. Bacteria will disappear from the throat area after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

3.1. How to prevent the disease In Vietnam, meningitis caused by meningococcal group A circulates in many places, the disease occurs all year round, but there can be epidemics in the autumn, winter and spring. Meningococcal disease is more common in children and this group of people has the highest group of healthy people.
Meningococcal vaccination for children is the best way to prevent disease. Currently, in Vietnam, there are two meningococcal vaccines: meningococcal type B + C vaccine for children over 6 months and adults under 45 years old or meningococcal vaccine with 4 types A, C, Y, W- 135 starting 9 months or older and adults under 55 years of age.

How to prevent when children are underage and people in epidemic areas:
Understand the disease, detect the disease early and isolate it to avoid spreading to the community Regular personal hygiene for children to bathe and wash with soap Live in the environment ventilated, clean and well-lit. In endemic areas, limit mass gatherings, limit movement from epidemic areas to other areas, and avoid spreading to the community. 3.2. Treatment of meningococcal disease Meningitis should be treated as long as it is according to the doctor's regimen. Depending on the patient's condition and health, the treatment time for meningococcal disease will be different according to the treatment regimen of the Ministry of Health.
Prophylactic treatment: For those at risk of disease, preventive treatment is carried out:
Prevention for the patient's family (adults and children over 12 years old) and medical staff after contact : Take 1 single tablet of Ciprofloxacin 500 mg. For pregnant women: Take 1 tablet of Azithromycin 500mg, children 1 dose of Azithromycin 10mg/kg. Prevention for children (>2 years old): Instruct children to receive meningococcal vaccination in case the above tests are negative and the child has not been vaccinated or vaccinated for more than 3 years.

Meningococcal disease is a dangerous disease, so early detection and treatment is very important, at Vinmec hospital, doctors are experienced in detecting early symptoms of the disease to devise a treatment plan. suitable for the patient.
Patients who come to the clinic are quickly diagnosed and treated promptly, isolated during the infection period. Get advice and dedicated care during the treatment process.

Vaccinate children at Vinmec International General Hospital Currently at Vinmec hospital, there are two types of meningococcal vaccine, type B-C for children over 6 months and adults under 45 years old, or anti-inflammatory vaccines. meningococcal 4 types A, C, Y, W-135 beginning 9 months or older and adults under 55 years of age.
Vaccination at Vinmec Hospital, parents can be completely assured about the quality of the vaccine and the quality of service, the children are screened before vaccination and given advice after the injection.

Reference source: Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health