2023-12-02 06:43:38
Children under 4 years old are the most susceptible group to meningococcal meningococcal meningitis. (Picture/extracted from the website Unsplash)
If a child develops “severe headache, vomiting, high fever and neck stiffness”, do not ignore it, as he may be infected with “epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis” and should be sent to the doctor as soon as possible! “Epidemic meningococcal meningitis” is transmitted through droplets. The initial symptoms are difficult to detect, such as influenza, but the disease develops quickly. Within 24 to 48 hours following symptoms appear, the mortality rate is as high as 50% without treatment, and may remain. With sequelae, children under 4 years old and the elderly are most susceptible to infection. Doctors remind you to wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and maintain good social distance.
More than 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis every year, 230,000 people die and 500,000 people lose the ability to take care of themselves due to sequelae. About 20 to 30 people in Taiwan are infected with epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis every year. Although compared with European and American countries have low infection rates, but once infected, the threat is extremely high.
Advertisement (Please continue reading this article)
Zheng Fangyu, the attending pediatrician, pointed out that epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis is prevalent from November to April of the following year. People who have not been treated at all may have a mortality rate of regarding 40 to 50%. Children under 1 year old are the most common, and children under 4 years old account for regarding 30 to 40%, accounting for the largest proportion.
The incubation period of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis is regarding 2 to 10 days. The initial symptoms include fever, stomach cold, sore throat and fatigue, which are not much different from the symptoms of a common cold. However, high fever, headache, vomiting and neck stiffness may occur later, and even Symptoms such as “hemorrhagic purpura, coma, and peripheral necrosis” appear. Dr. Zheng Fangyu recommends vaccination in advance to prevent infection and sequelae. Doctors also remind us to practice good social distance, prevent droplets, reduce the risk of infection and improve protection.
Further reading
Advertisement (Please continue reading this article)
1701500868
#early #stage #epidemic #meningococcal #meningitis #cold #infants #young #children #years #susceptible #CTWANT #LINE #TODAY
