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Meningitis - Prevention
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
Immunization against some of the organisms that can cause meningitis is the most effective way to prevent the illness. Some causes of meningitis that can be prevented by vaccines include:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The
measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
(What is a PDF document?) is routinely given to children between 12
months and 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of
age. - Varicella (chickenpox) virus. Two doses of the
chickenpox vaccine (What is a PDF document?) are recommended for children, the first at 12 to 15 months
and the second at 4 to 6 years old. Older children, teens, and adults who have
not had chickenpox can also get immunized.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) virus.
Hib vaccine(What is a PDF document?) is recommended for all children between 2 months and 5 years
of age and anyone older than 5 who has a medical condition such as
sickle cell disease or an
impaired immune system.
- Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
- The
meningococcal conjugate vaccine (What is a PDF document?) helps protect against certain strains of
Neisseria meningitidis. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommends 2 doses of this vaccine for adolescents at age 11 or
12 and again at age 16.7 People age 21 or younger (including college freshmen who live in dormitories) who have not had the vaccine should get it as soon as
possible. This vaccine is also recommended for certain people
who may be at higher-than-normal risk, such as travelers to countries known to
have outbreaks of meningitis, people without a spleen, and those who have
HIV. Some people need a booster dose every 5 years.
- Routine vaccination with
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (What is a PDF document?) is recommended for children ages 2 and
younger to help prevent infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- The
meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Cochlear implants
A link has been found between meningitis and cochlear implants for severe hearing loss. To help protect against meningitis from Streptococcus pneumoniae, experts recommend that people with cochlear implants get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Also, some people with implants have ear infections before they get meningitis, so people with implants should receive prompt antibiotic treatment for ear infections.
Breast-feeding
Breast-feeding may protect children ages 2 to 5 months against meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. But it is still important to give breast-fed babies the Hib vaccine.
For more information about immunizations, see the topic Immunizations.
Reduce your risk
You can take steps to reduce your risk of infection and prevent the spread of meningitis by:
- Avoiding people who have meningitis.
- Separating people with meningitis from other people in the home.
- Washing your hands often if you have meningitis or are caring for someone with meningitis. Wash your hands after using the toilet or helping a sick child use the toilet, after changing a sick baby's diaper, and after handling used bedsheets, towels, clothes, or personal items of a person who has meningitis.
- Avoiding insects and rodents that carry organisms that cause meningitis. If you live in or visit an area of the world where there are insects (such as mosquitoes and ticks) and rodents (such as mice and rats) that carry organisms that cause meningitis, take steps to avoid contact with them. For example, use insect repellent and keep all rodents out of your home and other buildings.
If you come in close contact with someone who has bacterial meningitis, taking antibiotics may keep you from getting the illness. For example, a person who has come in contact with the saliva or mucus of someone with meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria may be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you have only casual contact with someone who has meningitis—for example, at school or at work—you do not need to take antibiotics.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: December 8, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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