Meningitis is called inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and the brain. It is caused by some viruses and bacteria. It shows symptoms such as fever, vomiting, malnutrition, headache, sensitivity to external stimuli, neck pain, neck stiffness in older children, rash on the body, and fontanel swelling in small babies. .

The disease is transmitted through the respiratory route. Sometimes the virus waits silently in the nose, and transmission occurs in children under the age of 2 with close contact. Nursery, schools, crowded places are the most contagious places. Infection occurs more quickly in children with low immunity. The most important bacteria that cause meningitis are H. Influenza type B and pneumococcal microbes. Vaccines for these microbes have been administered by the state since 2008. However, the Neisseria meningitis (meningococcal meningitis) vaccine, which causes the most meningitis, is not administered by the ministry of health, that is, two vaccines (HIB vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine) are made by our ministry.

Meningococcal meningitis progresses faster than other meningitis. It is an inflammation of the membrane (meninx) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Its cause is neisseria meningitis. The disease spreads rapidly to the body 13-20 hours after infection. It causes fever, headache, weakness, bleeding under the skin. Purple-colored rashes occur. .It spreads rapidly to the arm and leg. It can go up to gangrene. In more advanced cases, it causes multi-organ failure. In worse cases, death, amputation of arms and legs, hearing loss, vision loss, mental retardation may occur. There are B types. C type is not seen in Turkey. W-135 type was the most common between 2009-2016, while B type took the first place after 2007.

Vaccines are in two groups. A, C, Y, W type Neisseria Meningitis vaccine and B type vaccine. We pediatricians recommend vaccinating babies and children against the 5 bacteria mentioned (special vaccines). Thus, protection against all types of the disease is provided.

Complications of the vaccine are very rarely, fever, restlessness and redness at the injection site. Considering the damage caused by the disease, the complications of the vaccine are insignificant.

The sooner the vaccines are started, the better. Vaccines can be started from the 2nd month. These vaccines can be administered together with the health center vaccines. There is no obligation to wait 20 days between the health center vaccines. Since we receive such questions a lot, I emphasize that two different groups of meningitis vaccines are the same. It can also be done at any time. It can be done on the same day as the health center vaccines. Since the doses vary according to age, the vaccine brands and the doses to be given will be explained to you by your pediatrician.

** DR. SELDA KAVAK CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES SPECIALIST**

Private İstanbul Şafak Hospital