Meningococcal vaccination in Kharkiv
What you need to know about meningococcal infection
Meningococcal infection is an acute infectious disease caused by meningococcus, which affects the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx (nasopharyngitis), the membrane of the brain (meningitis), can cause septicemia. There are fulminant forms, there is a high probability of death.
In addition, carrier status is widespread. The transmission method is airborne. Children under 5 years of age are most often at risk, but everyone is susceptible to infection.
How to diagnose?
Diagnosis of meningococcal infection should be made as early as possible, as early detection of the disease can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment. If characteristic rashes appear, which can occur within the first 12 hours after the onset of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The main diagnostic methods include:
- Clinical blood test, which helps to detect changes in indicators characteristic of infectious diseases.
- Cerebrospinal fluid examination, which allows to detect the presence of meningococcus.
- Detection of meningococcus in the patient's biomaterial, confirming the presence of infection.
- Detection of antibodies in the patient's blood, indicating the body's immune response to the infection.
- Detection of meningococcal DNA in blood or cerebrospinal fluid using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
All of these methods are important for confirming the diagnosis and determining the optimal treatment plan.
How to treat?
Treatment is mandatory hospitalization and antibacterial therapy, as well as symptomatic treatment.
What are the symptoms?
The incubation period is 1-20 days, then the following symptoms appear:
- High fever, chills, muscle pain
- Photophobia and eye pain
- Meningeal symptoms: rigidity of the occipital muscles, Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs
- In some cases, the patient assumes the characteristic "downing dog" position (lying on his side, head thrown back, legs bent at the knees)
- Hemorrhagic rash (microhemorrhages), which protrudes above the surface of the skin, is localized in any place, sometimes present on the mucous membranes: in the mouth and on the conjunctiva, sclera. Elements of the rash are dense to the touch, more often have a star-shaped shape
What is prevention?
Prevention is vaccination , which provides protection for 5 years.
Vaccines for vaccination
Where are vaccinations given?
St. Hryhoriya Skovorody, 31
5 Petro Grihorenko Ave
St. Gvardiytsiv-Shironintsiv, 33
Hryhorivske Shosse, 57
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