What is Waterhouse Friedrich syndrome?

What is Waterhouse Friedrich syndrome?

Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome is adrenal gland failure due to bleeding into the adrenal gland. It is usually caused by severe meningococcal infection or other severe, bacterial infection. Symptoms include acute adrenal gland insufficiency, and profound shock.

Why it is called Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome?

History. Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome is named after Rupert Waterhouse (1873–1958), an English physician, and Carl Friderichsen (1886–1979), a Danish pediatrician, who wrote papers on the syndrome, which had been previously described.

What is meningococcal Septicaemia?

Doctors call septicemia (a bloodstream infection) caused by Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels. This causes bleeding into the skin and organs.

Is meningococcemia an airborne disease?

The natural place for the bacteria to be located is in either the nose or throat of the carrier, and they can be spread the infection through airborne or close contact methods. The carrier may spread the infection for weeks or months if they are not diagnosed and treated.

What is secondary adrenal insufficiency?

Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough of the hormone ACTH. The adrenal glands then don’t make enough cortisol. Mild symptoms may be seen only when a person is under physical stress. Other symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, and weight loss.

What is acute adrenal insufficiency?

Disease definition. A primary adrenal insufficiency caused by a sudden defective production of adrenal steroids (cortisol and aldosterone). It represents an emergency, thus the rapid recognition and prompt therapy are critical for survival even before the diagnosis is made.

What is the difference between meningitis and meningococcal?

What is the difference between meningococcal disease and meningitis? While meningococcal disease and meningitis are related, they are not the same thing. Meningitis refers to an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

What is a symptom of septicemia but not meningitis?

Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis. The symptoms in young children are similar to those seen in adults, and include: fever. shivering, or having cold hands and feet. pale, blotchy complexion.

How do people get meningococcal septicemia?

People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.

What is the treatment for meningococcemia?

Meningococcemia is usually treated with Penicillin or Ampicillin. In adults the method of treatment is often through intravenous Penicillin G. In children penicillin is still the treatment of choice, however, other organisms must be ruled out before treatment is begun.

How is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome ( WFS ) defined?

Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome (WFS) is defined as adrenal gland failure due to bleeding into the adrenal glands, commonly caused by severe bacterial infection.

What causes adrenal gland failure in Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?

Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (WFS) is a condition characterized by adrenal gland failure caused by bleeding into adrenal glands as a result of severe bacterial infection, the most common of which is the meningococcus Neisseria meningitidis.

What kind of disease does Friedreich’s ataxia cause?

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA or FA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs and impaired speech that worsens over time. Many people also have a form of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Waterhouse syndrome?

Diagnostic criteria is based on clinical features of adrenal insufficiency as well as identifying the causal agent. If the causal agent is suspected to be meningitis a lumbar puncture is performed. If the causal agent is suspected to be bacterial a blood culture and complete blood count is performed.