Meningococcal meningitis is a serious form of deep organ infection that affects the whole body. A typical sign of meningococcal disease is a rash in many places on the body because of damaged blood vessels that make blood flow to the skin. Meningococcal meningitis can occur at any age, but infants and young children are most at risk. Therefore, parents need to update information about meningococcal disease to take precautions for children.

What is meningococcal meningitis?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), meningococcal disease is a blood infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. When a person with meningococcal disease enters the bloodstream and proliferates, it damages blood vessels throughout the body, causing bleeding into the skin and organs that can lead to extensive rashes.

The disease can occur in anyone, however infants under 2 years of age and adolescents are most at risk. This condition often occurs with meningococcal meningitis. The mortality rate for meningococcal disease is up to 40%.

Parents should bring their meningococcal vaccine to the Ministry of Health's immunization schedule.

Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis

If you have any of the following signs, your child should be examined immediately because if he / she is late, the risk of death is high.

In the early stages, meningococcal disease causes flu-like symptoms including:

• Fever and chills
• Tired, irritable.
• Cold limbs, muscle or joint pain.
• Rapid breathing, nausea or vomiting.
• Pharyngitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis may also occur during this period. These are all early signs when bacteria enter the lining of the back of the throat.
• Hemorrhagic rash appears on the skin does not fade or discolored when the rash is pressed. However, not everyone has a rash. Infants may also have other symptoms such as bulging fontanel and uneven muscle weakness.

Causes of meningococcal disease

Meningitis occurs when N.meningitidis enters the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels, causing bleeding to the skin and organs. However, people infected with these bacteria will not always get meningococcal disease. According to experts, cases of bacteria entering the blood account for less than 1% of cases.

According to the Canadian Meningitis Research Foundation, up to 20% of people carry N. meningitidis bacteria behind the nose and throat without symptoms. However, a carrier can spread the bacteria to others.

The bacteria are spread by direct contact with droplets, fluids from the nose or mouth of an infected person through: Coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing chopsticks, food, sharing lipstick, cigarettes, or toothbrushes ....

Diagnosis of meningococcal disease

Diagnosis of meningococcal disease at an early stage is limited, because it is easy to mistake for some of the milder symptoms of a cold or flu. However, the doctor will conduct antibiotic treatment to prevent if meningococcal disease is suspected.

Most meningococcal infections cause marked changes in the skin along with other symptoms. The signs of meningococcal disease can be detected by examining the change by gently pressing the rash on the body.

People with darker skin should pay special attention to the soles of the feet and palms or the lighter parts of the skin where the rash will be more noticeable.

Treatment of meningococcal meningitis

Meningococcal need urgent treatment with antibiotics. With prompt, accurate and timely treatment, meningococcal disease is less likely to be life threatening.

Doctors will even prescribe treatment for suspected meningococcal infection with antibiotics due to the severity of the disease and the risk of septic shock. Early treatment reduces the risk of complications such as gangrene or brain damage. Therefore, people who have had close contact with someone with meningococcal disease may also need treatment.

A 24-hour course of antibiotic treatment helps limit the spread of bacteria. The course of treatment usually lasts 7 days. It needs to be applied continuously and enough to be able to eliminate bacteria completely.

In severe cases of meningococcal disease, both the skin and tissue may not be able to get enough oxygen flow to cause limb necrosis. If this happens, a necrotic area or limb may need to be removed.

Prevention of meningococcal disease like?

Vaccines are the best preventative measure against meningococcal disease, especially in people with weakened immune status.
Keeping healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, also helps.
People who have close contact with someone with meningococcal disease should ask their doctor about antibiotics to prevent the disease.

Vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease

Currently City International Hospital offers vaccinations for children and adults. If there is a need for a meningococcal vaccine, City International Hospital can be ordered by the doctor.

• 1st dose: Injection when the child is 6 months or older.
• 2nd dose: 6 - 8 weeks after 1st dose.

No appointment	with appointment
667.000 VNĐ (vaccination consultation + vaccine cost included).	800.000 VNĐ (vaccination consultation + vaccine cost included).

Vaccination service during office hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 am - 12:00 am, 13:00 - 16:30 pm.

Vaccination service after office hours: Monday to Saturday: Afternoon from 16:30 - 20:00. Sunday morning examination 8:00 - 11:30.

For Table of Vaccines Supply Availability. Click Here 

For appointment  or more service information provided at Travel Medicine & Vaccination Center (TMVC), please contact:

• Ms. Võ Thị Mỹ Liên: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8424
• Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lệ: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8402

For any further information about medical services provided by City International Hospital,  please contact: 

• Address: No. 3, 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan Dist. (Next to AEON Mall Binh Tan). Ho Chi Minh City.
• Operator: (+8428) 6280 3333, ext. 0
• 24/7 Emergency: (+8428) 6290 1155
• Website: https://cih.com.vn/en/
• Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/BenhVienQuocTeCity/
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General disclaimer

 Always consult your doctor regarding any concern about your health. Your doctor will be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice. For suspected undesirable drug reaction and seek medical attention immediately.