“This baby who was treated for an invasive meningococcal infection did not survive,” confirms doctor Matthieu Mechain, a doctor at the Regional Health Agency of New Aquitaine.
There are several types of meningococcus. The most common in France are group B, C, W and Y meningococci. “At the moment we don’t know the type. We are still awaiting the results from the laboratory, ”specifies the doctor.
“Beyond individual treatment, antibiotic treatment was administered to prevent the occurrence of new cases: to the child’s entourage, emergency professionals and doctors in the establishment,” he adds. he.
However, “the transfer is quite difficult,” said the doctor. You have to be face to face, the bacteria is transmitted by the droplets of saliva, it does not resist in the air. All the people were therefore quickly identified. “
Doctor Mechain’s advice
If the symptoms can vary from a child to an adult: vomiting, stiff neck, muscular hypotonia … ” The purpura must alert, says Doctor Mechain. In children, it is one or more red spots on the seat (urinogenital area). You have to press on the task with a transparent glass and if the latter does not fade under vitro pressure, there is an urgency to act, call 15 or call your doctor because it is a very serious infection which can degenerate. “
And to add: “there is a compulsory vaccine for toddlers which is included in the calendar for children born since January 1, 2018 ”. A first injection takes place at the age of 5 months and a second injection at the age of 12 months.
More generally, “it is strongly advised to any sick person who coughs or has fever of wear a mask to avoid contaminating those around him. This is a public health issue, “insists the doctor.
Stéphanie Barrat
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