Most bacteria that cause this form of infection are spread through close personal contact, such as:. When that person coughs or sneezes the bacteria travel through the air.
In fact, the bacteria that cause meningitis are less contagious than viruses that cause the cold or flu. Not all bacteria that cause meningitis are spread from one person to another. You can also develop bacterial meningitis after eating certain foods containing the Listeria bacterium, such as:. Meningitis-causing bacteria are more likely to attack the membranes of your brain after a trauma such as:. Additionally, babies and people with weak immune systems are more likely to develop bacterial meningitis.
Some types of bacterial meningitis can be prevented through immunizations. There are vaccines that protect against pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Hib, all of which cause meningitis. Vaccinations are key to the prevention of meningitis. See your doctor to make sure your vaccinations, and those of your children, are up-to-date.
Bacterial meningitis can lead to severe health complications, such as stroke and brain damage. It can even be fatal. Complications of the disease are often permanent. Other serious possible complications include:. Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule. The vaccines also do not protect against infections from all the types strains of each of these bacteria. For these reasons, there is still a chance vaccinated people can develop bacterial meningitis.
When someone has bacterial meningitis, a doctor may recommend antibiotics to help prevent people around the patient from getting sick.
Doctors call this prophylaxis. CDC recommends prophylaxis for:. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor or midwife about getting tested for group B Streptococcus. Women receive the test when they are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant. Doctors give antibiotics during labor to women who test positive in order to prevent passing group B strep to their newborns. Pregnant women can also reduce their risk of meningitis caused by L.
Women should avoid certain foods during pregnancy and safely prepare others. You can also help protect yourself and others from bacterial meningitis and other health problems by maintaining healthy habits:. These healthy habits are especially important for people at increased risk for disease, including:. Top of Page.
Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Other tests may include: Brain imaging CT scan Blood and urine testing Swab of fluids from your nose or throat How is bacterial meningitis treated?
What are the complications of bacterial meningitis? Can bacterial meningitis be prevented? Key points about bacterial meningitis If you feel like you've got the flu with unusual stiffness in your neck, it could be meningitis. Get any symptoms checked out and treated as soon as possible to help ward off complications. Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines that may protect you from bacterial meningitis. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean. You do not always get all the symptoms. You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
Call NHS or your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis. Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.
It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
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