The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is commonly called “meningococcus”. To date, 12 “variants” of meningococcus have been observed worldwide: in France, meningococcus B is particularly feared, which accounted for around 51% of cases of infection in 2018, according to the Institut Pasteur.
Meningococcus (whether A, B, C, W, X or Y) is transmitted by direct, close (less than a meter distance) and prolonged (for more than an hour) contact with nasopharyngeal secretions of an infected person. Concretely, the transmission is done via coughing, spitting, sneezing…
Fever and purpura, two symptoms to take absolutely seriously
Meningococcal B infection can cause the onset of meningococcal B meningitis. After an incubation time of between 1 and 10 days (most often: 4 days), the following symptoms can be observed:
- A sudden onset of high fever (above 39°C) which may be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting,
- Intense headaches (headaches),
- The stiff neck and/or painful to the touch,
- Intolerance to light (photophobia) and/or noise,
- One or more red or purplish spots on the skin that do not turn white when pressed and may spread (purpura)
- Aches and/or fatigue…
If these symptoms appear (in particular: high fever or purpura), it is imperative to call the SAMU (15) as soon as possible. Indeed: in the absence of treatment, meningococcal B meningitis can cause neurological complications (deafness) or even, in the most severe cases, lead to death from septic shock.
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