William Hand, 14, from South Carolina, tragically passed away earlier this month after contracting meningococcal disease a fast-moving form of meningitis that can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
A 14-year-old boy from South Carolina has died tragically from a rare yet aggressive type of bloodstream infection known as meningococcemia. Medical professionals are asking the public to educate themselves on the early warning signs and as it often confuses by mimicking a flu-like infection. And lead to a condition of medical emergency as soon as they appear. Meningococcemia spreads through close personal contact, and if not treated on time, can produce serious life-threatening complications.
What Is Meningococcemia – The Rare Blood Infection
A 14-year-old boy from South Carolina was just a few days after coming in contact with this bacterial infection. This led the health professionals to educate the public about its symptoms and to recommend more attention.
William Hand, who had just completed his 8th grade at Hughes Academy of Science and Technology, started to feel unwell in the early morning of 8th June. According to his father, Will Hand, William woke up before 5 a.m., and his behaviour was different; it became clear that he was in desperate need of help. In an emotional Facebook post, he wrote, “Everything went so fast and god brought him home, fondly remembering him for his flowing hair, bright smile, and love for sports.” While posting William’s picture, he went emotional, ” I’ll see you again, son.”
What Happened to William Hand?
William was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive blood infection called meningococcemia, also known as meningococcal septicemia. It is a serious bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which swiftly enters the bloodstream and disseminates through the body, and once infected with this, it is difficult to control.
Dr Anna-Kathryn Burch told Fox Carolina how serious this illness can be, ” the infection progresses so rapidly that once it starts, it is difficult to save the person. The bacteria that cause meningococcemia can be transmitted through saliva and respiratory droplets, which makes this infection a close contact disease, that is spread through kissing, sharing drinks, or using same utensils
Affects Caused By Meningococcemia
Meningococcemia is a rare and highly spreading infection through the bloodstream due to the presence of known as Neisseria meningitidis. And this bacterium can cause serious harm to the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. Thereby, it can infect all the tissues by entering the bloodstream.
Neisseria meningitidis usually exists harmlessly in the nose and throat of a healthy individual who then becomes a carrier of this infection. But still a pathogen that has the potential to cause serious disease after disseminating into the bloodstream. Once entering the bloodstream, it multiplies and releases toxins that are enough to cause damage to entire blood vessels, impacting the circulation and if left untreated, leads to organ failure.
What are the symptoms of Meningococcemia?
At the beginning of Meningococcemia, it acts as a flu or a bad cold. Early symptoms are:
- Body and Joint aches
- Cold hands and feet
- High fever
- Nausea
- Chills
- Heart Racing
Other warning signs in teens or young children may be unusual lethargy, grumpiness or irritability, or the development of a rash that does not fade under pressure. Further, this rash may result in bleeding of the skin due to damaged blood vessels when infection enters the bloodstream.
The speed of this infection is so high that it can escalate within hours or even minutes. This makes the healthcare providers always tell parents or caregivers to trust their instincts and the conditions of their children. If someone feels acutely unwell or their health is deteriorating rapidly, it is beneficial to get timely treatment, increase awareness for prevention. Ask for medical help immediately is important because a delay in treatment can be life-threatening.
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