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Deaths by meningitis treatment put into question
Sylvio Quadros and Carmen Vasconcelos | Imprint MAIL
The emergence of successive cases of meningitis in recent weeks in the city Complex, in the metropolitan region of Salvador, has startled residents and caring community regarding the proper treatment of the disease. The nursery Stowage of Buris in the town of Vilas de Abrantes, is with classes suspended since Monday, after having three children diagnosed with meningitis, two of which died.
"We do not think there was reason to close the nursery before because the Health Surveillance (Cama?ari) said he did not need," explains the coordinator of the nursery, Eliete Faustina.
The first case to appear in the nursery was to Lucas Oliveira, 5 years, which according to the coordination was diagnosed with the disease on 3 October. Two days later, Camile Fagundes, 5, died in hospital Couto Maia, diagnosed with meningitis type C.
Yet the lessons continued, and in the last 12 days, Emanuel Oliveira dos Santos, 4, also died with a diagnosis of meningitis type C. Between one and another death, the coordination of day care said to have followed the guidance of the Ministry of Health and administered four doses of 12 antibiotics in 12 hours. "I thought after the antibiotics children were not at greater risk," said Eliete.
Five days later, also in Complex, the teenager Tatian Santos Falc?o, 16, died diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis - the most severe form. According to the State Department of Health (Sesab), however, death has to do with the affairs of the nursery.
Treatment
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the brain, the meninges. According to the director of the School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) and professor of infectious diseases, Jos? Tavares Neto, the disease is complex: it may be caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria.
Each agent is treated specifically. For viral meningitis is no treatment and usually they do not have much gravity, being fought by the body. The most severe forms are the bacterial and the most important are those of serogroups A, B and C. According to the Ministry of Health the use of antibiotics is the most appropriate treatment. "Currently, there are only specific vaccine for bacterial meningitis serogroup B, which are produced in Cuba," says Tavares Neto.
At the nursery Stowage of Buris were applied 200 doses of vaccine in students and teachers on Friday. However, it is not available for the entire community and is only used in case of outbreak. The cost is one reason it dose costs between $ 85 and $ 200.
Outdoor
Until a vaccine appears safe and effective for all cases, the output is to invest in prevention. "To prevent the meningitis is important to avoid enclosed settlements," explains Tavares Neto, noting that the BCG vaccine (available on the basic schedule for tuberculosis) can also ensure coverage against the disease.
Stamp identifies gravity
The infection caused by meningitis produces an increase in pressure inside the head (intracranial pressure). This situation manifests itself in symptoms such as headache, high fever, vomiting, discomfort with bright light, irritability, delirium and convulsions.
For the disease can be diagnosed and the agent is identified, it is essential to carry out blood tests and collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is removed from the bone marrow.
For this, there is a lumbar puncture - a thin needle is used to collect spinal fluid, which is examined for bacteria. The CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis is more turbid, usually in a state purulent (pus), with reduced rate of glucose and cell counts increased.
To ensure the control and cure of meningitis, treatment should be specific to the causative agent involved. To identify the bacteria causing the infection, a fluid sample is sent to the laboratory to carry out culture and identification of microorganisms.
Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria - such as meningococcal or streptococcal - can cross the barrier of the body's natural protection. Moreover, they can also directly enter the respiratory system. For bacterial infections, treatment should be as fast as possible, because the disease can kill or cause permanent neurological damage.
(News published in the print edition of the day 19/11/2009 MAIL)
Deaths by meningitis treatment put into question
Sylvio Quadros and Carmen Vasconcelos | Imprint MAIL
The emergence of successive cases of meningitis in recent weeks in the city Complex, in the metropolitan region of Salvador, has startled residents and caring community regarding the proper treatment of the disease. The nursery Stowage of Buris in the town of Vilas de Abrantes, is with classes suspended since Monday, after having three children diagnosed with meningitis, two of which died.
"We do not think there was reason to close the nursery before because the Health Surveillance (Cama?ari) said he did not need," explains the coordinator of the nursery, Eliete Faustina.
The first case to appear in the nursery was to Lucas Oliveira, 5 years, which according to the coordination was diagnosed with the disease on 3 October. Two days later, Camile Fagundes, 5, died in hospital Couto Maia, diagnosed with meningitis type C.
Yet the lessons continued, and in the last 12 days, Emanuel Oliveira dos Santos, 4, also died with a diagnosis of meningitis type C. Between one and another death, the coordination of day care said to have followed the guidance of the Ministry of Health and administered four doses of 12 antibiotics in 12 hours. "I thought after the antibiotics children were not at greater risk," said Eliete.
Five days later, also in Complex, the teenager Tatian Santos Falc?o, 16, died diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis - the most severe form. According to the State Department of Health (Sesab), however, death has to do with the affairs of the nursery.
Treatment
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the brain, the meninges. According to the director of the School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) and professor of infectious diseases, Jos? Tavares Neto, the disease is complex: it may be caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria.
Each agent is treated specifically. For viral meningitis is no treatment and usually they do not have much gravity, being fought by the body. The most severe forms are the bacterial and the most important are those of serogroups A, B and C. According to the Ministry of Health the use of antibiotics is the most appropriate treatment. "Currently, there are only specific vaccine for bacterial meningitis serogroup B, which are produced in Cuba," says Tavares Neto.
At the nursery Stowage of Buris were applied 200 doses of vaccine in students and teachers on Friday. However, it is not available for the entire community and is only used in case of outbreak. The cost is one reason it dose costs between $ 85 and $ 200.
Outdoor
Until a vaccine appears safe and effective for all cases, the output is to invest in prevention. "To prevent the meningitis is important to avoid enclosed settlements," explains Tavares Neto, noting that the BCG vaccine (available on the basic schedule for tuberculosis) can also ensure coverage against the disease.
Stamp identifies gravity
The infection caused by meningitis produces an increase in pressure inside the head (intracranial pressure). This situation manifests itself in symptoms such as headache, high fever, vomiting, discomfort with bright light, irritability, delirium and convulsions.
For the disease can be diagnosed and the agent is identified, it is essential to carry out blood tests and collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is removed from the bone marrow.
For this, there is a lumbar puncture - a thin needle is used to collect spinal fluid, which is examined for bacteria. The CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis is more turbid, usually in a state purulent (pus), with reduced rate of glucose and cell counts increased.
To ensure the control and cure of meningitis, treatment should be specific to the causative agent involved. To identify the bacteria causing the infection, a fluid sample is sent to the laboratory to carry out culture and identification of microorganisms.
Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria - such as meningococcal or streptococcal - can cross the barrier of the body's natural protection. Moreover, they can also directly enter the respiratory system. For bacterial infections, treatment should be as fast as possible, because the disease can kill or cause permanent neurological damage.
(News published in the print edition of the day 19/11/2009 MAIL)