What Precautions May Help Prevent Meningitis Spread?

How does meningitis spread, and who’s at risk?

Since meningitis may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other things, it’s important to learn the difference between these types and how to take precautions to help prevent getting meningitis.

Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most serious form, causing severe complications in 20% of people who have this type, and becoming fatal in more than 16% of individuals who have it.

While viral meningitis is the most common type, it’s often a milder form and may resolve without treatment. However, depending on the virus that caused it, viral meningitis can also be serious.

Bacteria and viruses can be spread through sneezing, coughing, and close contact, such as kissing. You can contract meningitis with mild or no symptoms at all.

Meningitis caused by fungi is rare, but it’s more common in immunocompromised people or those who have recently had spine surgery.

While anyone can get meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals in these groups are at a greater risk:

• Infants younger than one year old
• adolescents and young adults ages 16 through 23 years old
• people with health conditions that affect their immune system
• scientists and researchers who work with N. meningitidis, the bacteria that cause meningitis
• people in a community outbreak area (like colleges, schools, and other places where people routinely gather)

How can you prevent the spread of bacteria or viruses that cause meningitis?

Here are some effective ways you can protect yourself and your family from contracting the bacteria or virus that causes meningitis.

Vaccination: The most important precaution

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent some of the most common forms of meningitis. Several meningitis vaccines are available.

Here are the available meningitis vaccines and the recommended age range for individuals to get them:

Meningococcal vaccines

Meningococcal vaccines protect against specific strains of Neisseria meningitidis, bacteria that can cause meningitis and other infections.

There are three main types of meningococcal vaccines:

• MenB vaccines (Bexsero and Trumenba): These vaccines protect against serogroup B meningococcal disease and may be given to infants, children, and adults.

• MenACWY (Menactra, Menveo, MenQuadfi): This vaccine is a quadrivalent vaccine – a combination of four types of meningococcus bacteria: A, C, W, and Y.

• MenABCWY vaccines (Penbraya and Penmenvy): This vaccine is a pentavalent vaccine – a combination of five types of meningococcus bacteria: A, B, C, W, and Y. It may be recommended for people who might need both MenB and MenACWY at the same visit.

Pneumococcal vaccines

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness such as pneumonia, sinus infections, and meningitis.

There are three main vaccinations against S. pneumoniae:

• 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13 (Prevnar 13): This vaccine help prtect against 13 types of S. pneumoniae that may cause meningitis.

• 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, or PPSV23 (Pneumovax): This vaccine protects against 23 types of S. pneumoniae that may cause meningitis and other illnesses. The PPSV23 vaccine may be given 8 weeks after a PCV13 dose.

• 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV20 (Prevnar 20): This vaccine protects against 20 types of S. pneumoniae and is primarily used to prevent pneumonia, but it may also help prevent meningitis caused by any of these 20 strains of S. pneumoniae.

H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

This vaccine protects against H. influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria, but it’s not a “flu” shot.

H. influenzae type b bacteria can cause serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections (sepsis), arthritis, and meningitis. It can also cause a potentially life threatening brain infection in young children. That’s why it is a recommended vaccination in childhood.

Other vaccines that may help prevent meningitis

While there is no vaccine against viral meningitis, there are other vaccines that may help prevent meningitis caused by viral infections, including:

• chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus)
• influenza (flu)
• measles, mumps, rubella (MMWR)

What hygiene habits may help reduce your risk?

Good hygiene habits can help stop the spread of meningitis. Habits such as:

• Practicing good handwashing hygiene, such as washing your hands after coughing or sneezing or changing diapers, can help remove bacteria from your hands and prevent infections and the spread of meningitis.
• Avoid sharing items that come into contact with your mouth or saliva, such as food, eating utensils, drinks, and lip balm.
• Frequently clean surfaces that are often touched, like countertops, handrails, doorknobs, and remote controls.
• If you work in a healthcare or laboratory setting, using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following all droplet precautions – especially when handling respiratory secretions or conducting procedures can help prevent transmission of bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis.

What special precautions may be needed during a meningitis outbreak?

During a meningitis outbreak or when individuals or groups, such as students or healthcare professionals, have a known exposure, they may be prescribed antibiotics or additional vaccinations to help prevent meningitis.

You may be asked to isolate – stay home and away from other people – if you are in an area where one or more known cases of meningitis have occurred. This is typically asked early in meningitis outbreaks, sometimes before the specific infection causing the meningitis has been identified.

What are the symptoms of meningitis, and what to do if you recognize them

The symptoms of meningitis can be mild, and some people may not have symptoms. However, the symptoms can be severe and may worsen rapidly. That’s why it’s so important to know the symptoms and seek medical care if you have them. A doctor can diagnose meningitis, identify the specific cause, and determine the best treatment.

Common meningitis symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• stiff neck

Other symptoms you may experience include:

• nausea and vomiting
• photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
• confusion
• a rash that doesn’t disappear when a glass is rolled over it
• seizures
• drowsiness

Meningitis may look different in babies. Their symptoms can be quite mild and hard to notice. Symptoms in babies with meningitis may include:

• reduced activity or inactivity
• irritability
• vomiting
• feeding changes (poor feeding)
• bulging fontanelle (soft spot on a baby’s head)
• abnormal reflexes

If you or your child has symptoms of meningitis, seek emergency care or see a healthcare professional immediately so they can determine if you or your child has meningitis, the cause, and the best treatment options.

Takeaway

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and rarely, parasites or amoebas. While you may have mild or no symptoms from meningitis, you can also have serious symptoms that worsen quickly. If you have symptoms, especially if you have been around someone who has meningitis, seek medical care immediately.

Meningitis is highly contagious, but there are steps you can take to help prevent it. The most important way to prevent it is to be fully vaccinated and to stay up-to-date on your vaccines and booster shots. Washing your hands and keeping surfaces like handrails and doorknobs clean can also help. You may be asked to stay home and isolate if there is a meningitis outbreak at your school or in your community.

These precautions can protect you and your family from developing meningitis.