Risk of infection Five-year-old girl suffering from severe meningococcal infection

Five-year-old with severe meningococcal infection: prevent further diseases

In Wiernsheim, Baden-Württemberg, a five-year-old girl has a severe meningococcal infection. In order to minimize the risk of further illnesses, the local health authority informs about the prevention of the dangerous illness.

Little girl suffering from severe meningococcal infection

As the district administration Enzkreis announced on its website, a five-year-old girl in Wiernsheim (Baden-Württemberg) is suffering from a serious meningococcal infection. The child visits the local kindergarten Regenbogen. In order to minimize the risk of further illnesses, the health authority informs all parents and employees of the institution about the preventive treatment of children and educators. Thus, further infections in close environment and near contact persons are to be prevented.

In Baden-Württemberg, a five-year-old girl has a severe meningococcal infection. Now further illnesses are to be prevented. (Image: ogerphoto / fotolia.com)

Bacteria are usually transmitted by droplet infection

Meningococci are bacteria that settle in the nasopharyngeal space of humans, where they are detectable in about ten percent of the population without any signs of clinical symptoms, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

They are most commonly transmitted by droplet infection. The bacteria are released into the air when speaking, coughing or sneezing in small droplets from the nasopharynx and can be inhaled from a short distance.

In addition, the pathogens can be transmitted even in close contact with patients as a smear infection, for example, by touching the nasal secretion. Outside the body, the bacteria die quickly.

Infection often leads to blood poisoning or meningitis

According to health experts, two forms of meningococcal disease can occur individually or together:

Meningococcal diseases are meningitis in about two-thirds of cases. In about one third of cases, the course is characterized by sepsis, "writes the RKI on its website.

The onset of the disease is usually very sudden and progressing rapidly.

But: "Fortunately, meningococcal diseases are extremely rare in Germany - there are only about five cases per million people per year, usually in the winter months," explains the specialist. Michael Junius from the health department for the Enzkreis.

However, only a few weeks ago, a small child in Hesse had died as a result of a meningococcal infection.

Why only a few individuals fall ill and others do not, is not known.

For symptoms, seek medical help quickly

Symptoms such as fever, headache, photosensitivity, body aches and a clouded state of consciousness can occur during an infection.

"A typical sign is the painful neck stiffness, often combined with morning vomiting or signs of circulatory failure," explains specialist Angelika Edwards.

Meningococcal blood poisoning flushes out bacteria throughout the body, disrupting blood clotting. Pointed or flat bleeding on the skin and mucous membranes may indicate such a disease.

Anyone can contract a meningococcal infection. Most often, however, it affects infants in the first year of life, toddlers or adolescents.

"In case of illness go to the doctor in any case," recommends Angelika Edwards.

Recommended vaccination

Although it is possible to get vaccinated against meningococcal type C, which is also recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute.

"However, the type of bacteria that caused the acute illness in the five-year-old is not yet known," says Edwards.

However, a quick and rapid administration of antibiotics could prevent worse. (Ad)