Jeff Beck, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, has died at the age of 78.
The musician’s family shared the news on social media. “He died peacefully yesterday (1/10) after contracting bacterial meningitis. We ask for privacy as we process this tremendous loss,” the note concludes.
Beck replaced guitarist Eric Clapton in the band The Yardbirds and years later formed a new group with singer Rod Stewart.
According to BBC News, “Beck’s timbre, presence and, most importantly, loudness redefined guitar use in 1960s music, influencing movements such as heavy metal, jazzrock and even punk”.
But what is bacterial meningitis, the guitarist’s cause of death? Find out more about the causes, transmission routes, risk groups, diagnostic procedures, treatment and prevention of this disease below.
What is bacterial meningitis?
In summary, meningitis is an inflammatory process that affects the meninges, membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
This inflammation can be caused by several means. The most common are viruses and bacteria.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that while viral meningitis is more common, it is less aggressive and the vast majority of patients recover.
Bacterial meningitis — which, as the name suggests, is caused by bacteria — is usually more serious.
The Brazilian Society for Immunizations (SBIM) estimates that between 20 and 30% of patients diagnosed with the bacterial version of the disease die. “10 to 20% of the survivors have sequelae such as deafness, amputation of limbs or neurological impairments,” calculates the entity.
Several microorganisms can cause such a condition. According to the Ministry of Health, the most common pathogen in Brazil is meningococci (Neisseria meningitidis), followed by pneumococci (Streptococcus pneumoniae), Koch bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and Haemophilus influenzae.
The ministry estimates that from 2007 to 2020, the country recorded 87,900 cases and 5,500 deaths from bacterial meningitis.
What are the symptoms and transmission routes?
The United Kingdom Public Health Service (NHS) states that meningitis is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, kissing and talking.
Droplets of saliva and secretions that come out of the nose or mouth bring the bacteria that enter another person’s body and cause an infection.
SBIm adds that “approximately 10% of the population could be asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria [causadoras de meningite] and pass it on unknowingly, particularly to teenagers and young adults”.
The Johns Hopkins Health Center in the United States advises that the main symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:
- pain or stiffness in the neck and neck;
- Headache;
- High fever;
- mental confusion or excessive sleepiness;
- appearance of purple spots, similar to bruises, on the skin;
- red or irritated skin;
- Photophobia or sensitivity to light.
In younger children, other signs of the disease include:
- Irritability;
- vomiting and high fever;
- frequent crying;
- swelling of the head;
- loss of appetite;
- Cramps.
The Johns Hopkins Center reports that “symptoms usually appear quickly, within hours or overnight.”
Therefore, it is important to get to an emergency room quickly to make the diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Which risk groups are there?
The Mayo Clinic in the United States lists five situations that increase the risk of bacterial meningitis:
- Not to be vaccinated: the risk is greater in those who have not taken the recommended doses of immunization drugs (we will talk more about vaccinations below);
- Age: Children under the age of 5 are most at risk. The disease is also common in adolescents and young adults up to the age of 20;
- Living in a community environment: College students who share dormitories, those on military bases, and children in day care or boarding schools are at risk because the bacteria are more easily transmitted in these environments;
- Pregnancy;
- Immune system disorders: Individuals with cancer, HIV infection, diabetes, transplant recipients, and other conditions tend to have lower immunity, paving the way for bacterial invasion.
dr Rosana Richtmann, director of the vaccination committee of the Brazilian Society for Infectious Diseases, explains that adolescents are more likely to contract the disease due to agerelated behavioral problems.
“This is the age of sharing glasses, kissing, meeting in clubs and closed places…”, list. “And all of this facilitates the transmission of bacteria.”
In older people, the expert explains, the risk of complications is related to immune evasion, or the decrease in the body’s ability to fight infection.
“Over the years, the immune system becomes more fragile and previously simple conditions can become more complicated,” emphasizes the doctor, who is also a member of the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas in São Paulo.
How is meningitis diagnosed and treated?
The CDC states that the detection of bacterial meningitis depends on laboratory tests, which are done by drawing blood or spinal fluid.
These tests assess the presence of bacteria that cause inflammation in the meninges.
From then on, the doctor will prescribe specific antibiotics capable of killing this group of microorganisms.
The NHS adds that many patients also need supportive care, which includes an IV drip and oxygen.
Can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Vaccination is the most important way to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.
There is no single immunizing agent that can deal with all of these bacteria, but several different doses, given in schedules and for different age groups, are essential to reduce the risk of infection and complications.
To reduce the chance of meningitis (and other infections), the Unified Health System (SUS) currently offers the following vaccines:
- Meningococci C: protects against meningococci of serogroup C. The scheme includes three doses: the first at three months of life, the second at five months and the third at 12 months;
- Meningococci ACWY: protects against meningococci serogroups A, C, W and Y. Authorities indicate a single dose for adolescents aged 11 or 12;
- BCG: protects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. single dose, applied shortly after birth;
- pentad: reduces the risk of infection by Haemophilus influenzae, which causes meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, among others. vaccination schedule with three doses given at two, four and six months of the baby’s life;
- Pneumococci 10valent: protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are three doses given at two, four and twelve months of age;
- Pneumococci 23valent: it also prevents infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Available to all indigenous populations over 5 years of age who have not ingested 10valent pneumococci and to those over 60 years of age housed in nursing homes and transitional homes;
- Pneumococci 13valent: third available vaccine to protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is only available for some special groups on the public network, e.g. B. People with HIV infection, cancer patients and transplant recipients.
Richtmann points out the low vaccination rate against these diseasecausing microorganisms.
“With the introduction of these vaccines on the national calendar more than a decade ago, the incidence of meningitis fell across Brazil,” he recalls.
“That’s why I’m concerned about the low adherence to these vaccines lately. Those who have not been vaccinated are at risk of contracting a serious and potentially fatal disease,” he adds.
According to the DataSUS portal, only 72% of children received the meningococcal C vaccine in 2021 (data for 2022 are still being updated).
ACWY meningococci, which target juveniles, have had average coverage of 3040% in recent years the goal would be to keep rates above 80%.