Although invisible to the naked eye, bacteria and viruses can be deadly, especially if they attack a child whose immune system is still developing. Vaccinations can help protect against particularly dangerous microorganisms, such as pneumococci. Effectiveness, however, depends on the selection of the appropriate preparation. Find out what is at risk for your baby and how to support his immunity.
The material was created in cooperation with the Polish Society of Public Health
Pneumococci
One of the most dangerous bacteria for the health and life of a child are split pneumonia, or pneumococcus, discovered in the 90th century by Ludwik Pasteur. It is estimated that out of about 10 types of pneumococci, about 5 are pathogens that can kill the patient. Although from 10-60 percent. healthy adults and in some regions of the world up to XNUMX percent. the population of children is carriers of these bacteria, and a strong immune system makes the infection asymptomatic. However, when the immune system is weakened, to which the youngest are especially exposed, pneumococci contribute to the development of not only acute pneumonia but also, by spreading through the nasopharyngeal cavity, to meningitis, otitis media, sinusitis, septic arthritis. or pericardium.
The most effective method of avoiding the development of pneumococcal infection is to vaccinate your child early. As indicated by the data of the National Reference Center for the Diagnostics of Bacterial Infections of the Central Nervous System (KOROUN), two types of vaccines available in Poland: PCV10 and PCV13, do not have the same effectiveness. The difference in coverage of pnaumocok serotypes, despite the introduction of PCV10 into the mandatory vaccination schedule, strongly speaks in favor of the PCV13 vaccine, which neutralizes 56,7% of vaccines. harmful pathogens in children under 2 years of age, as opposed to 23,3 percent. with the agent currently used.
When choosing, it is worth remembering that 13 countries around the world have opted for the widespread use of PCV126 in the compulsory vaccination models, and PCV10 only 33. This is important because PCV13 prevents the development of the two dominant pneumococcal serotypes: 3 and 19A, which are the most common the cause of death from split pneumonia in Poland. In order to protect your child from a serious disease, it is important to choose the type of vaccination or to change it to a more effective preparation.
Currently, about 30 percent in Poland. parents choose PCV13 due to the broader spectrum of its activity, independently paying for the preparation, which, for example, in Belgium or Slovenia is reimbursed from the state treasury. Polish parents are aware that we are lagging behind Europe in this respect.
More and more countries are deciding to introduce the PCV13 vaccine. Austria also joined them in February, where this decision was made on the basis of local epidemiological data. It has been observed that since the introduction of the PCV10 vaccine, the number of cases of IPD caused by serotype 19A against which this vaccination does not protect has started to increase. This is the classic mechanism by which a serotype that is not vaccinated grows strong in the population and quickly becomes the most dangerous. That’s why Austrian authorities decided to replace PCV10 vaccines with PCV13.
Another factor that prompts countries to introduce more expensive but more effective vaccinations is the fact that in the long term, the move reduces healthcare expenditure by preventing the high costs of hospitalizing young patients. It is worth remembering that prevention is always cheaper than treatment.
Meningokoki
Unlike pneumococci, which are gram-positive bacteria, meningococci are gram-negative cleansing bacteria, contributing in particular to meningitis and sepsis. They are dangerous for children due to their high virulence and resistance to antibodies. Split is transmitted from sick people or asymptomatic carriers by droplets, when sharing food, drinking from the same bottle or by direct contact, which is why meningococcal epidemics most often occur in confined spaces, such as schools or kindergartens.
Each year, the bacterium contributes to nearly 130. deaths worldwide, and the most vulnerable group are children under the age of 1 who have not yet developed an immune system. The disease hatches on average three to four days after infection. As in the case of pneumococci, vaccinations from the age of 2 months are an effective preventive measure.
Streptococcus strep throat
Not all bacteria and viruses pose a direct threat to a child’s life, but that does not mean that they can be underestimated. Especially the youngest are exposed to infections by droplet-transmitted streptococcus causing angina, which, if not treated properly, can cause serious complications. Although the vast majority of the population, less than 90%, has or develops angina, it can be successfully cured by taking an appropriate antibiotic.
However, if the child is weakened after a previous illness, and the treatment is not delivered quickly enough, health-threatening sepsis, nephritis or rheumatic fever may appear. The best way to prevent this bacterium is to practice good hygiene, dress your child appropriately for the weather, and avoid nursery school when one of the children has already become ill and may have spread the angina further. Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations for it.
Scarlatina
Scarlet fever, or scarlet fever, is a disease that develops as a result of infection with group A streptococcus toxins, present in the body due to complications from angina. It is an acute infectious childhood disease that can take the proportions of an epidemic, so its symptoms cannot be underestimated. Known since the 25th century, it was characterized by a 1% mortality rate among children in the last century, which has now dropped to XNUMX%. Scarlet fever, like angina, can be infected by droplets through the mucous membranes of the throat or damage to the epidermis.
After about two to five days of incubation, symptoms such as elevated temperature, abdominal pain, rash, peeling skin, facial flushing, and a change in color of the tongue and the appearance of a characteristic whitish coating appear rapidly. In extreme cases, the disease leads to cardiovascular disorders, including heart muscle disorders, liver problems and spleen enlargement. Streptococcus can be treated with antibiotics, including penicillin.
Salmonella
It is worth remembering that the youngest are exposed not only to infections with bacteria or viral diseases transmitted from person to person, but also to cases where the bacterium is of zoonotic origin. This group includes Salmonella, which is normally part of the intestinal fleet of animals, but through improper processing of food can threaten human health. It spreads especially when contaminated, unpasteurized milk, poultry, eggs and dairy products are eaten. The effects of the infection can be seen quickly, even after several hours; up to a week.
Salmonella grows in infected cells, causing salmonellosis, which is the most common cause of food poisoning in Poland. The bacterium causes especially diarrhea and vomiting in children, which may lead to dehydration of the body. Hydration of the body is especially important during treatment with antibiotics. Hospitalization is often necessary in this case. In order to protect the child from infection, it is necessary to heat-treat the eaten dairy products and eggs and take care of general hygiene, especially washing hands before and after meals in kindergarten.
The material was created in cooperation with the Polish Society of Public Health