invasive Bacterial infection According to a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases are on the rise in the United States.
Cases of meningococcal disease mainly caused by: bacteria meningococcusthe number of infections reached 422 last year, the highest annual number of reported cases since 2014, authorities said in a warning.
So far this year, 143 cases have been reported to the CDC (as of March 25), which is 62 more than the number reported during the same period last year.
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The invasive strain responsible for most cases (serogroup Y ST-1466) primarily affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60 (65% of cases), the CDC said in a report. He said that Black or African American people (63%) are also affected. HIV infected person (15%), the CDC said.
This strain also appears to be more lethal than previous years’ strains.
Invasive bacterial infections are on the rise in the United States, according to an alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (St. Petersburg)
Of the 94 patients, 17 died due to infection, resulting in a case fatality rate of 18%.
From 2017 to 2021, the case fatality rate was 11%.
Even with antibiotic treatment, the typical case fatality rate ranges from 10% to 15%, according to the CDC.
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One in five survivors may experience long-term disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, and loss of limbs. nervous system problems.
“I think this is concerning, especially because we’re suddenly seeing a sharp increase in the number of cases and because the mortality rate of this particular strain was higher than any previous increase in this disease.” said primary care physician Dr. Barbara Bauer. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms of meningococcal disease
The CDC describes it as a “rare but serious disease.” meningococcal disease Most commonly, it causes meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or changes in mental status.
Meningococcal disease most commonly causes symptoms of meningitis, such as fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or changes in mental status. (St. Petersburg)
It can also cause meningococcal bloodstream infections, which can cause fever or chills, vomiting, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, diarrhea, rapid breathing, or a dark purple rash. The CDC points out that
infection and treatment
Bawer said meningitis infection can be spread through close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease, adding, “It’s commonly transmitted through coughing, kissing, etc. “It can also be spread by being in the same household or room for an extended period of time with someone who has meningococcal infection.” Infected. “
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If you have symptoms of illness, please see a doctor. primary care physician According to the doctor, soon.
It is important that patients receive antibiotics immediately, as symptoms tend to progress rapidly and can be life-threatening.
“It can become deadly or dangerous for any person within hours.”
“The condition can become fatal or dangerous very quickly, within hours, for any individual, especially if antibiotics are not started in a timely manner,” Bower warned. “Even with antibiotics, meningitis can be fatal.”
She added: “This is often due to misdiagnosis, as meningitis can resemble many other diseases.”
Infection prevention
Most cases of meningococcal disease worldwide are caused by six variations of Neisseria meningitidis (A, B, C, W, X, and Y).
In the United States, the most common variations are B, C, W, and Y.
According to the CDC, there are vaccines available to prevent types A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY vaccine) and type B (MenB vaccine).
Doctors advise that anyone with symptoms of meningococcal disease should see their GP immediately. (St. Petersburg)
“The MenACWY vaccine is routinely recommended for adolescents and people with other risk factors or underlying medical conditions, including HIV,” the CDC said in its warning.
To reduce risk, Bawer recommends people get vaccinated. Current meningitis vaccines Follow CDC recommendations and avoid crowded spaces with other people as much as possible.
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“If someone in your family has had meningitis, or if you have touched their oral secretions (i.e. kissed them), you should be given prophylactic antibiotics,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. We should,” he said.
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This is even more important for people with weakened or compromised immune systems. About medicine It weakens the immune system, Bower added.
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