Meningococcal disease: awareness campaign launched
22.09.2017 22:50
Fever, body aches, headaches – typical signs of the flu. But these symptoms are also characteristic of a meningococcal infection. Since the latter occurs relatively rarely compared to the flu, it is often only recognized when it is already advanced. The bacteria can cause both meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) and sepsis (blood poisoning).
Current figures from the Robert Koch Institute show that almost two thirds of sick infants develop sepsis. With meningococcal sepsis, up to one in ten dies, and with severe disease almost one in three.
According to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), around one in ten adults carries meningococci in the nasopharynx and is therefore a potential transmitter. Infants and small children are particularly affected by infection with the bacteria because their immune systems are not yet fully developed at a young age. It could be that parents, grandparents or other people who interact with children unknowingly infect them even though they themselves have no symptoms. The pathogens are transmitted through close contact as airborne droplets when kissing, coughing or sneezing.