A simple hug on a new born cheek, from an infected person, can put the baby’s life at the risk of contracting meningitis.
Speaking to KNA in her office Tuesday, Dr.Ruth Nyokabi, a pediatrician at the Tigoni Level 4 hospital, said though exceptionally rare and unnoticeable, this could lead to fatal infection on the new born, and mothers should not allow people to move that close to their babies.
Nyokabi warned that meningitis being a bacterial disease could be transmitted through direct skin contact of the baby, with that of the infected person.
“Mothers should guard against strangers smooching the baby for instance on the forehead, especially in the first three months, when they are most vulnerable,” she said.
The pediatrician pointed out that it was easy for newborn babies to contract diseases and infection from any light contact as their immune systems were weak.
Nyokabi said saliva and skin act as a mode of transmitting infection from an infected person.
“Human saliva carries innumerable organisms and if an infected person comes into contact with a baby, it was also likely to get infected,” she said.
Additionally, babies below five months can develop fevers and still necks which mothers should observe and take immediate action before the condition gets out of hand.
The medic cautioned that if not diagnosed early, the baby may develop complications including brain disorders and blood system infection, which could lead to death.
She revealed that symptoms in newborns are non-specific and often confused with bacterial infection which results in delayed treatment.
The pediatrician revealed that one out of 10 babies contracted the infection from a simple kiss even from their mothers and some go untreated for long.
However, infection can also occur in older children, like any child above six months depending on their immunity status, and mothers and other guardians should be on the lookout for any symptoms, so that they take quick action before the disease completely damages the child’s system to irreversible levels.
Nyokabi made the remarks on the backdrop of one of the longest strike by nurses countrywide, which has exposed many children to lack of immunization.
She reminded mothers to avail their children for mandatory routine immunization so as to guarantee them healthy future. -KNA
