Meningitis how does it spread

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine. The CDC recommends that a single dose be given to children ages 11 to 12, with a booster shot given at age If the vaccine is first given between ages 13 and 15, the booster is recommended between ages 16 and If the first shot is given at age 16 or older, no booster is necessary.

This vaccine can also be given to children between the ages of 2 months and 10 years who are at high risk of bacterial meningitis or who have been exposed to someone with the disease. It's also used to vaccinate healthy but previously unvaccinated people who have been exposed in outbreaks. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Meningitis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Meningitis Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and three membranes meninges protecting your brain and spinal cord.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed Sept.

Bacterial meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bartt R. Acute bacterial and viral meningitis. Continuum Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Viral meningitis. Fungal meningitis. Travelers should avoid close contact or prolonged time with known TB patients in crowded, enclosed environments for example, clinics, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters.

Certain germs that cause bacterial meningitis, such as L. But most of these germs spread from one person to another. How people spread the germs often depends on the type of bacteria. It is also important to know that people can have these bacteria in or on their bodies without being sick.

Here are some of the most common examples of how people spread each type of bacteria to each other:. People usually get sick from E. Pregnant people with a Listeria infection may not have any symptoms or may only have a fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.

However, infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, including meningitis. Pregnant women can pass group B Streptococcus group B strep to their baby during delivery. Newborns infected with group B strep can develop meningitis or other serious infections soon after birth.

Talk with your doctor or midwife about getting a group B test when you are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant. Doctors give antibiotics during labor to women who test positive in order to prevent infections in newborns. Newborns and babies may not have, or it may be difficult to notice the classic symptoms listed above. Instead, babies may. Cigarette smokers are more likely to carry the meningococcal bacteria in their throats, so stopping smoking may be another way to reduce spread of this infection.

Some viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can also be found in saliva. It is sensible hygiene advice not to share drink bottles, glasses or cups. Good hand hygiene can also helps to prevent the spread of some infections. There are many types of meningitis and many different ways of spreading infection.

The most important thing that anyone to can do to protect themselves and others from meningitis is to make sure they and their loved ones get all their vaccinations. This not only protects the person who gets vaccinated, but also protects the wider population by preventing the spread of the bacteria that cause disease.

After qualifying in medicine in , James Stuart worked for ten years as a clinical doctor in the UK and rural South Africa before specialising in public health and epidemiology of infectious diseases, particularly meningococcal disease.

He has been involved in the investigation and control of outbreaks of meningococcal disease in the UK and international level, and has published extensively on the epidemiology of meningococcal disease and carriage. How does meningitis spread? March Bacteria can spread from one person to another by droplets from the nose and mouth, for example, by coughing in close contact.

Find out more about meningitis vaccinations. Page last reviewed: 08 March Next review due: 08 March Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Several different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, including: meningococcal bacteria — there are several different types, called A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z pneumococcal bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b Hib bacteria enteroviruses — viruses that usually only cause a mild stomach infection the mumps virus the herpes simplex virus — a virus that usually causes cold sores or genital herpes A number of meningitis vaccinations provide protection against many of the infections that can cause meningitis.