Meningitis

Prevention

The bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are found in bodily fluids, such as saliva and mucus, and are spread by direct contact. Some people carry the germs in their nose and throat and can pass them on to other people, even though these "carriers" are not sick. If you are in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, you may be given antibiotics to prevent you from getting the disease.

In children, bacterial meningitis most commonly is caused by three types of bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae or Neisseria meningitidis. Vaccines to protect against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b (Hib) are available and have dramatically reduced the number of meningitis cases caused by these bacteria. A vaccine against N. meningitidis is available, but it has not been shown to be effective in children younger than 2 years.

In the United States, college students overall have a lower rate of bacterial meningitis than people of similar ages who are not in college. However, freshmen living in dormitories have higher rates. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that college students be vaccinated against N. meningitidis. This vaccine also is recommended for children age 11-12 and teens entering high school, and may be useful for travelers to countries that experience meningitis outbreaks.

There are also vaccines against some other types of bacteria that cause meningitis, but these are used mostly in older people or people with chronic medical conditions that could put them at high risk of getting the disease.

There is no vaccine for viral meningitis.

Treatment

Viral meningitis is treated much like the flu, with rest and plenty of fluids. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and should be treated as soon as possible in a hospital setting.