As the National Meningitis Day will be held this Saturday, emergency physicians call for the vigilance of families and health professionals in this pandemic context.
- Emergency physicians are calling for families to be vigilant regarding meningitis, a devastating and deadly disease.
- Together Against Meningitis and the SFMU also recommend that families vaccinate their children.
Emergency physicians are calling for families to be vigilant about meningitis, a disease that can kill a teenager in less than 24 hours. The French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU) and the Together Against Meningitis collective also encourage parents to have their children vaccinated.
As soon as the first symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear (see the diagram below), you must react as quickly as possible by going to the emergency room. Problem: these physiological indicators are non-specific, difficult to identify and unknown to the general public. “They can take on the appearance of the flu, or, in the current context, of a case of Covid-19. Valuable time can be wasted, and treatment only occurs when the disease is already at an advanced stage.” warns Dr. Agnès Ricard-Hibon, president of the French Society of Emergency Medicine.
Several dark red spots on the skin
The appearance of one or more dark red spots on the skin, often on the legs, should in particular alert, under penalty of probable amputation. These spots do not itch, are not raised and above all, do not disappear when pressed on them.
“If you have the slightest doubt about your child’s state of health, it is important to call 15. Every minute lost is life-threatening. The need to consult quickly is a priority and the difficulties of rapid access to a general practitioner can lead to serious consequences. In the face of warning signs, calling 15 gives access to a 24-hour doctor who analyzes your child’s state of health and allows the disease to be treated quickly”. summarizes Agnès Ricard-Hibon. “In any case, it is important to trust your instincts because a child who is not as usual can be a real warning sign”, adds Patricia Merhant Sorel, co-founder of the collective Together against meningitis and president of the association Petit Ange – Together against meningitis.
A possible renunciation of consulting the emergency room this winter
Emergency doctors and patient representatives are also worried about a possible renunciation of consulting the emergency room this winter, an attitude which they invite to combat, despite the Covid-19. Together Against Meningitis and the SFMU also recommend that families vaccinate their children. “Vaccination is currently the only truly effective means of preventing the occurrence of bacterial meningitis. A vaccine exists for meningococcal B, but it is not part of the mandatory infant vaccination schedule. concludes Jimmy Voisine, co-founder of Together against meningitis and president of Meningitis France – Association Audrey.
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