Neurological Society urges parents to comply with meningitis vaccination

Every year, thousands of cases of meningitis are diagnosed in Spain. This Saturday is celebrated World Day against this disease, which kills 300 thousand people worldwide. Infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. There is a vaccine that can prevent this disease and reduce its effects, especially in the most common age group: children and adolescents.

One in 10 people who contract the disease eventually die, and up to 30% of those affected suffer serious consequences. Meningitis is the leading cause of infectious death among children and adolescents.. Marta Guillan Rodríguez, secretary of the Critical and Intensive Neurology Research Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology, explains that “Contrary to popular belief, the disease is not yet eradicated and not all types are subject to surveillance, and some of the bacteria that cause meningitis also tend to cause sepsis if they enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body.” body”.

Symptoms appear suddenly and the most common are fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, sensitivity to light and confusion. Meningitis can become an epidemic in places where there are no vaccines. This is not the case in our country. In Spain and the Murcia region, vaccination is carried out against several types of meningitis. Dr. Guyan calls for compliance with the General Vaccination Schedule approved Interterritorial Council of the National Health System this year.

Almost 20% of the population may carry some of the bacteria that cause meningitis. Following the easing of protective measures against COVID-19, the incidence of meningitis in Spain increased by 10% last year and is up 13% this year.