Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the central nervous system (CNS) called “meninges”. It usually manifests as headaches, a lot of fever, vomiting, stiff neck, all signs that should prompt the child to be examined. The appearance of small purplish spots that do not fade when you press the skin (purpura) on the skin is a sign of seriousness that should alert.
Meningitis of viral origin is relatively frequent and most often benign. “The ones that pose the biggest problems are bacterial meningitis,” explains Dr Muhamed-Kheir Taha, head of the National Meningococcal Reference Center at the Institut Pasteur. They are mainly due to three types of bacteria, Haemophilus influenza, meningococci (of which there are several subgroups) and pneumococci.
Especially for children and teenagers
The three bacteria responsible for meningitis occupy the same “ecological niche”: the pharynx. They are transmitted from person to person via the droplets of saliva projected when speaking, sneezing or coughing. But since these are relatively fragile bacteria, contact must be made face to face, within a meter, and repeatedly.
All bacteria combined, an estimated 1,200 cases of meningitis each year, mainly in toddlers and teenagers. Bacterial meningitis can lead to death, sometimes in just a few hours in cases of fulgurating sepsis and in 20% of cases, serious sequelae (hearing loss, epilepsy, mental retardation, psychomotor, learning difficulties, etc.).
We can get vaccinated
Several vaccines are available against the bacteria responsible for meningitis. The one against Haemophilus influenza is listed in the vaccination schedule since 1992. Due to its combination with other early childhood vaccines, it is widely performed. Result: Haemophilus meningitis has almost disappeared in France. “Vaccination coverage is, on the other hand, less good against pneumococci and especially meningococci of group C, respectively registered in the vaccination schedule since 2006 and 2010”, regrets Dr. Muhamed-Kheir Taha. Against group B meningococcus, responsible for 70% of meningitis in France, a vaccine marketed since 2013 is effective against 80% of the strains currently in circulation. It is recommended when several cases occur in the same place, as was the case in the Dieppe region in recent years.
Sometimes hospitalization is necessary
The vast majority of viral meningitis are benign. They almost all heal spontaneously. While bacterial meningitis requires taking antibiotics intravenously. “In order to administer them, but also to monitor the patient and avoid cardio-respiratory failure due to the infection (septic shock), hospitalization of around ten days is necessary”, specifies Dr Muhamed-Kheir Taha. Symptomatic treatments aimed at combating the inflammatory condition and fever induced by the bacteria are also useful.
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