The pediatrician warned that the bacterium called 'pneumococcus' poses a danger to all children under the age of 5, especially to newborns. Even parents should not kiss their baby.

Ecrin Aydın, 9, one of the 3 children of Bilnur and Metin Aydın, who live in Ankara, allegedly got meningitis caused by 'pneumococcal' bacteria and then 'cerebral palsy' as a result of kissing the guest who came home at the age of 40 days. As a result of the treatment continued with the efforts of her parents, Ecrin held on to life as a severely disabled person. Stating that this bacterium called pneumococcus negatively affects especially those under 2 years of age, Yeditepe University Bağdat Street Polyclinic Pediatrician: "Pneumococcus is a bacterium formed in the upper respiratory tract. People who are not actively ill can also become carriers. In particular, they cause this infection to be transmitted. Therefore, even parents should not kiss the baby.'

How Should We Protect the Baby?

Our expert: ''Hands should be washed frequently before contact with the baby. The crowd should not accept guests; the baby's room should be ventilated frequently. People who will care for the baby should definitely wash their hands. Kissing the baby is so risky. This bacteria is transmitted by direct contact; it is forbidden to smell the baby as well. They can love the baby from feet. We may not be sick at the moment, but we may be carrying the factors of infection. The danger here can also be in the herpes virus. It is infected with direct kissing. Even if there is no active herpes lesion on the lip at that moment, it may be possible to infect the baby. Hence, it is best to isolate the baby in the early period and make minimal contact.”

"Low Immunity is the Cause of the Disease"

Drawing attention to the infections that can be seen in children under the age of 5, our expert also added: "Especially meningitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infection can be seen. This bacterium is very important for newborns, especially children under the age of one, as they are vulnerable to all kinds of infections. As with many infections, pneumococcus is transmitted through the respiratory tract and direct contact. Therefore, direct contact causes the transmission of this disease, as in a 40-day-old baby, which is the premature newborn period. The smaller the baby, the weaker the immunity, and the less the body is able to fight such infections, which can result in serious infections. A bacterium that causes serious permanent damage by death, even if it is not death. Babies are vulnerable to many infections, not just pneumococcus. For this reason, especially babies younger than 2 months should be kept away from crowded environments as much as possible.”

"Pneumococcal Vaccine is Included Vaccine Calendar of the Ministry of Health"

Reminding that there is a protective vaccine against pneumococcal bacteria, our expert: "This vaccine is included in the vaccination calendar of the Ministry of Health. This vaccine is given in 4 doses in 2, 4, 6, 12 - 15 months. It has been included on the Ministry of Health's vaccination calendar since 2008. But two months-baby was already vulnerable to infections. As Ecrin is exposed to the disease in the early period, the course of the disease may be severe. All children under the age of 5 are at risk. The riskiest group is under 2 years of age. It can take up to 5 years for immunity to be fully established. The most important thing is to protect them with vaccines.''

Beware If the Baby is Weak!

Our expert emphasized that the symptoms of many infections are generally similar, also warned families to pay attention to the following symptoms:

"The baby's sucking decreases, he/she becomes sleepy when you try to wake him/her up, fatigue appears, has difficulty in waking up. Sometimes fever can also be seen. When this infection is transmitted in the newborn, it quickly spreads throughout the body. It is useful to consult a physician early when there is the slightest change in the baby during the newborn period. First, we look at whether there is an infection with a blood test. Then we take a blood culture. If he suspects meningitis, he's diagnosed with the cerebrospinal fluid associated with it. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner the treatment takes place. There is so much antibiotic use in Turkey that this bacteria, which we call pneumococcus, has started to develop resistance to some antibiotics. The most important task of us physicians is to inform families about baby care and family vaccinations in order to protect them before they get sick."