After a meningococcal disease cluster linked to three students was reported in Ho Chi Minh City, one of whom died, a doctor warned that early symptoms can be nonspecific and recalled prevention measures.
Huynh Tran An Khuong, a medical specialist with the VNVC vaccination system, said meningococcal bacteria can cause several dangerous conditions. Purulent meningitis and sepsis are the two most serious invasive forms. The disease can progress rapidly, leaving a previously healthy person in critical condition within a few hours.
Early symptoms are often nonspecific
According to Dr. Khuong, early symptoms of meningococcal disease are often nonspecific, including fever, headache, muscle aches and nausea. They can easily be mistaken for flu or common viral infections. Warning signs may soon appear, including cold hands and feet, severe headache, a hemorrhagic rash that does not fade when pressed, a stiff neck, altered consciousness, seizures and septic shock. In fulminant cases, a person may die within 24 hours of symptom onset.
Dr. Khuong explained that when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, their endotoxins trigger a severe inflammatory response, damage the inner lining of blood vessels and disrupt blood clotting. Small clots form in the microvasculature, obstructing circulation and depriving tissue of blood and oxygen. At the same time, damage to vessel walls causes bleeding under the skin. Red and purple spots can quickly spread into larger areas of bleeding and necrosis.
In severe cases, clotting disorders, septic shock and insufficient blood supply to tissue can lead to skin necrosis and limb damage. When the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys are affected at the same time, the patient faces a risk of multiple organ failure and death even with intensive resuscitation.
Prevention should start early
According to Dr. Khuong, meningococcal bacteria can live in the nasopharynx of healthy people without causing symptoms, while still being transmitted through close contact with respiratory secretions, such as during coughing, sneezing and kissing, or through sharing items that come into contact with saliva.
Along with vaccination, people should maintain personal hygiene, wash their hands frequently, avoid sharing items that come into contact with saliva, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and keep living spaces well ventilated. Anyone with suspected symptoms should go to a medical facility immediately.
Sources: Thanh Niên
