Meningococcal Disease
This is an acute serious illness with high incidence among infants. It is a major cause of meningitis and septicemia.
Though uncommon, it is given a serious attention because of its being a serious illness because it has a high incidence of mortality.
Without treatment, 50% of cases will result to death and if with treatment, 8-15% will die. Also, of those patients who will survive, 20% will have a sequelae.
This invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis and is classified by serogroups classified into 5 that most commonly cause this disease. These serogroups are: serogroup A, serogroup C, serogroup W, serogroup Y, and serogroup B
Serogroup B is the most common cause of invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Philippines since 2018.
This bacteria live within the nose and the throat and will spread via droplets during close contacts. They can spread through: coughing and sneezing, living in close quarters, sharing drinks and eating utensils and kissing.
Children under 5 years of age are at most risk. So, age itself is an important risk factor. Infants are also at risk owing to their immature immune system and waning of maternal antibodies.
Adolescents are also at risk due to waning antibody and with their high- risk behaviours that facilitate close contacts resulting to transmission.
The signs and symptoms resemble like other viral illnesses, thus, it is challenging to diagnose early on.
It strikes and progresses quickly usually without warning that may result to death in 24 hours.
Clinically, the patient may present with headache and sore throat then they feel thirsty, to general body aches leading to decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, leg pain and irritability, drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, photophobia then to abnormal skin color.
At 19 hours , there may be appearance of a rash and at 23 hours, patient may be in state of confusion and delirium.
Patients who survive IMD will have lasting consequences such as: neurological disability limb/digit amputations, hearing loss and seizures
Meningococcal disease is among the diseases most feared by parents and doctors because of its rapid progression to death when not diagnosed early on.
This can be managed by giving antibiotics but the most effective way of prevention and control is through vaccination.
Infants and children should be vaccinated with the meningococcal vaccine against serogroup ACWY and against serogroup B.