Everything You Should Know About Bexsero
Here we give you all the information about Bexsero.
Everything you should know about Bexsero
What is the Bexsero vaccine?
It’s an immunization against the type B meningococcal bacteria that cause infections of the meninges or a generalized infection known as sepsis.
The vaccine protects against three of the four variants of meningococci with an effectiveness of more than 90%. It is therefore given a general protection of around 70%.
Pediatricians are the biggest proponents of the vaccine because they claim that complications from type B meningitis, even if rare, can be avoided. It also has no more significant side effects than any other vaccine.
What is Type B Meningitis?
Meningococci are bacteria that cause the rare but very serious infections like meningitis and sepsis. These diseases can have severe sequelae in about 1 in 10 cases and even lead to death.
Although this germ can infect people of all ages, cases are more common in young children and adolescents because they are the most susceptible.
Type B meningitis infection can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes their progression is so rapid that treatment is not effective, so the best prevention is vaccination.
Type B meningitis
Meningitis is a severe bacterial infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
It can lead to significant brain damage and is fatal in 50% of cases.
“Death only matters because it makes us reflect on the value of life.”
-Michel de Montaigne-
The bacteria are transmitted from person to person through droplets from respiratory secretions or the throat. The spread of the disease is favored by close and prolonged contact with an infected person.
The average incubation period is 4 days but can be anywhere from 2 to 10 days. Even when diagnosed early and given adequate treatment, 10% of patients die, usually within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms appear.
In addition, meningitis can cause brain damage, deafness, or learning disabilities in 20% of survivors.
The most common symptoms of meningitis are:
- Neck stiffness
- Elevated fever
- Photosensitivity
- confusion
- a headache
- Vomit
The sepsis
Sepsis is a very serious disease that occurs when the body gives an overwhelming immune response to a bacterial infection.
The chemicals released into the blood to fight the infection cause widespread inflammation that causes blood clots to form and blood vessels to leak. This causes poor blood flow, which deprives organs of nutrients and oxygen.
In the most serious cases, one or more organs can fail. In the worst case scenario, it leads to low blood pressure and weakens the heart.
Patients with sepsis are treated in the hospital’s intensive care units.
Doctors try to treat the infection, preserve vital organs, and prevent a drop in blood pressure. In many cases, surgery is needed to clear an infection
Side effects of the type B meningitis vaccine or Bexsero
The reactions associated with vaccination are mild:
- fever
- irritability
- Pain and redness at the injection site
It is recommended that you separate this vaccine from the usual vaccines your child needs with a break of at least 3 weeks. In the case of fever, which is usually short-lived, paracetamol may be given and ice may be used around the injection site for the first 24 hours.
