Meningococcal meningitis: a student hospitalized in Nantes

On March 14, a preparatory student from the city of Nantes was hospitalized in emergency due to meningococcal meningitis. It is a serious pathology, caused by a bacterial infection, which requires special care for the patient and his entourage.

Meningococcal meningitis, a serious and contagious infection

Meningitis occurs when meningococcus infects the fluid and membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms that follow are mainly:

• A high fever;
• Severe headaches;
• Vomitings ;
• A stiff neck;
• Lethargy;
• Disorders of consciousness.

In the most severe cases, meningococcal sepsis – the most serious form of which is purpura fulminans – sets in. It is a generalized infection of the blood and various organs caused by meningococcus, which spreads throughout the body. The patient’s state of health deteriorates and red or purplish spots may appear, this is a life-threatening emergency.

Call for vaccination of those around him

Contamination mainly concerns the circle of the sick person, who can in turn be affected by the disease in the event of prolonged close contact or by the secretions of the sick person (coughing, sneezing, etc.). Transmission is favored in the family home or living conditions in the community.

In the case of this young man, his school immediately alerted the Regional Health Agency (ARS) on March 15. Contacted by Doctissimo, the ARS says it has “implemented prophylactic measures in the close entourage of the patient in collaboration with school medicine. Contact persons at risk of the patient have been identified and a short preventive antibiotic treatment and vaccination have been recommended to them.“.

To prevent this type of infection, parents are advised to follow the recommendations for vaccinating infants against meningococci B and C, as specified by the vaccination schedule.