Meningococcal bacteria can be transmitted through the respiratory tract, and the risk of infection increases when individuals share eating utensils or engage in activities like kissing. These bacteria have caused scattered diseases in Vietnam since the beginning of the year, with a 22-year-old male patient from Son Tay being hospitalized due to a consciousness disorder in May and a family of six people in Bac Kan having two cases of meningococcal meningitis in early June, resulting in two deaths and two others undergoing treatment.
Doctor Nguyen Le Nga, Medical Manager at the VNVC Vaccination System, stated that meningococcal bacteria can infect people of all ages, with children under five years old, adolescents aged 14-20 years, and immunocompromised individuals being at the highest risk. Behaviors such as sharing eating utensils, kissing, secondhand smoking, and living in crowded places can contribute to the faster spread of these bacteria.
Sharing eating utensils can lead to the transmission of meningococcal bacteria through saliva. Similarly, kissing can also increase the risk of infection by coming into contact with secretions and saliva containing pathogens. Secondhand smoking weakens the body’s defense functions, making it easier for pathogens to enter and cause infection. Living in crowded places can provide ideal conditions for the bacteria to spread through the respiratory tract.
Individuals with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes are also at an increased risk of meningococcal infection. To prevent this disease from occurring again, it is crucial to avoid risky behaviors such as sharing eating utensils or engaging in activities like kissing that may put oneself at risk. A healthy lifestyle should be maintained along with proper medical treatment for any underlying medical conditions. Regular vaccination against meningococcal bacteria is recommended not only for protecting oneself but also for protecting one’s community from this potentially fatal disease.
In conclusion, it is important to take necessary precautions to avoid spreading meningococcal bacteria through sharing eating utensils or engaging in activities like kissing that may put oneself at risk. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following proper medical treatment for underlying conditions, individuals can protect themselves from this potentially deadly disease while contributing towards preventing its spread within their community by getting vaccinated regularly against meningococcus bacteria.
