In January 2025, Lily McGarry woke up with a sore throat and a light cough. Sports and healthy, she first puts these symptoms on the account of a winter virus. But his condition worsened quickly, to the point that his roommates take him to the emergency room.
A cough that turns into drama
In the hospital, his condition is brutally deteriorating. “”I have developed a rash that started going back along my neck, and from that moment, the situation has been won over“, She recalls. Doctors then diagnose meningococcal septicemia, a serious blood infection.
“”SEPSIS is a generalized infection that can cause septic shock and organ failure. The more the treatment is administered early, the more the propagation of the infection is limited “ First details Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor. “”But beware, because this type of infection can quickly lead to a failure of the internal organs such as lungs, kidneys or hearts. “
What are the symptoms to monitor?
The symptoms to be recognized in this situation are as follows:
- A high fever or an abnormally low temperature;
- A beating heart (tachycardia);
- Accelerated breathing (tachypnea);
- And a drop in blood pressure.
“”When you start to observe a local and general evolution after an infection or an injury, you must quickly react. In a septicemia, the first three hours are capital to save the person, what is called the ‘Golden Hours’ “ Add the emergency doctor.
“”Each hour late in the administration of antibiotics increases mortality“He adds. “Faced with these signs, you must consult in an emergency. Your speed of action can save your life or that of your loved ones.”
Sepsis, a vital emergency to be treated immediately
Lily benefits from fast management, to avoid the worst. Unfortunately, septicemia creates generalized edema and vasodilation. “”To maintain blood pressure, vasoconstrictor drugs are needed – mainly noradrenaline – which concentrate blood on the vital organs. By tightening the peripheral vessels, this can create ischemia, even necrosis at the level of the members “.
Despite administered care, Lily’s state continues to deteriorate. She makes two heart stops, one of which plunges her into a coma for two weeks. When she wakes up, she discovers that she is amputated with both legs under her knees and both arms at the elbows. Today in rehabilitation, Lily strives to find a new normality and takes advantage of her experience to raise awareness: “Try to check your vaccination history with your general practitioner before the start of the school year “.
Meningococcal vaccination, a gesture that saves lives
France is currently experiencing an unprecedented increase in invasive meningococcal infections, with more than 615 cases identified in 2024, the highest figure for more than ten years according to Public Health France. Sometimes fatal infections that particularly affect infants, but also adolescents and young adults, two particularly vulnerable populations.
In France, since January 1, 2025, vaccination against meningococcus has been compulsory for infants up to 24 months, a decision made after a start of the year “marked by a particularly significant increase in invasive meningococcal infections“, According to the Ministry of Health.
In infants, vaccination against all strains – A, B, C, W and Y – becomes compulsory with:
- A dose of the acwy conjugated vaccine at 6 months;
- The second at 12 months;
- Vaccination against meningococcal B is made at 3 months, 5 months and 12 months.
For adolescents:
- A dose of recall against A, C, W and will be recommended there between 11 and 14 years;
- It is also recommended for 15-24 year olds in vaccination catch-up.
In adults, finally, vaccination is recommended for people with certain diseases and exposed professionals.