Infectious Diseases More Infectious Diseases Meningitis Guide Meningitis Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Prevention of Meningitis By Vincent Iannelli, MD facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Vincent Iannelli, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH on June 14, 2021 linkedin Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician who specializes in public health, communicable disease, diabetes, and health policy. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anju Goel, MD, MPH Updated on July 19, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Identifying Risk Factors Vaccination Lifestyle Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Next in Meningitis Guide Recognizing When It Could Be Meningitis Meningitis, the acute inflammation of the protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord, is most commonly caused by viruses and bacteria. The condition may be prevented with vaccination, good hygiene, and other preventive measures. Verywell / Emily Roberts Viruses are the predominant cause of meningitis, including non-polio enteroviruses, measles, mumps, herpesviruses (including chickenpox and shingles), and even influenza viruses. Bacterial meningitis, the second most common type, tends to be more severe and can lead to serious complications like brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. The five most common bacterial causes are Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Listeria monocytogenes. Identifying Risk Factors Depending on the underlying cause of meningitis, some people may be at greater risk than others. Meningitis is usually caused by infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic), but it can also be the result of non-infectious causes such as inflammatory autoimmune diseases, drug reactions, or cancer. Getting an infection (even ones strongly linked to meningitis) does not mean you will get meningitis. The same applies to non-infectious causes. There are, however, risk factors that place you at increased risk of meningitis. Recognizing these risk factors help you build an individualized prevention strategy. The risk factors for meningitis include: Younger age, with infants, teens, and adults age 23 and under being at highest risk of bacterial meningitis Older age, with people 65 and over at the highest risk of death from infectious meningitis Living in crowded spaces, including dormitories, camps, and military installations where infections are more readily spread Having a compromised immune system, such as occurs with organ transplant recipients, people with advanced HIV infection, and children with primary immunodeficiency (PID) Being unvaccinated, most notably not receiving meningococcal vaccination Causes and Risk Factors of Meningitis Vaccination Vaccination remains crucial to the prevention of meningococcal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. When people talk about the "meningitis vaccines," they are referring to a group of vaccines known as meningococcal vaccines. There are five meningococcal vaccines used in the United States that prevent one or more of five different serogroups (variations) of the bacteria. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines protect against more common forms of the bacteria, namely serogroups A, C, W, and Y. Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines protect against serogroup B infection, the most frequent cause of meningococcal disease in the United States. The five meningococcal vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration are: Menactra: serogroups A, C, W, and Y Menveo: serogroups A, C, W, and Y MenQuadfi: serogroups A, C, W, and Y Bexsero: serogroup B Trumenba: serogroup B Meningococcal conjugate vaccines are recommended for all adolescents 11 to 12 years of age, with a second dose given at age 16. Serogroup B vaccines may be used in adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 who are at increased risk due to a meningitis outbreak or certain medical conditions. Meningitis can occur as a complication of other infections, such as herpes zoster (shingles) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Although there are vaccines that can prevent these infections (and, in turn, complications like meningitis), they aren't regarded as "meningitis vaccines" per se. Top 20 Vaccines You Should Know About Lifestyle The infectious organisms that cause meningitis are fairly common in the environment. They are readily transmitted by coughing, sneezing, kissing, and touching contaminated objects. To reduce your risk of meningitis, particularly if you are in a high-risk group: Practice good hygiene. Routine handwashing and regularly disinfecting counters and surfaces are key to preventing many infections. This includes cleaning commonly-touched surfaces that are likely to host germs (called fomites). Avoid close contact. Steer clear of friends, co-workers, or family members who are sick, and encourage them to stay at home and quarantine if necessary. This is especially true if there is an outbreak of infection in schools, universities, or the community at large. Living in close quarters, such as residence halls or military barracks, can also create a hotbed of infections. While moving is not always possible, you should take extra precautions if you are immunocompromised, particularly during outbreaks of meningitis that frequently occur in colleges and universities. Unlike in universities, the rate of meningococcal meningitis in military installations is low due to the mandatory vaccinations of troops. Treatment Meningococcal meningitis is treated with antibiotics as soon as the disease is suspected. Once a person is hospitalized, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is delivered by intravenous (IV) infusion. IV penicillin may also be used. A seven-day course is usually sufficient, although severe cases may require up to 21 days of treatment. People who may have been exposed to N. meningitidis or who are at risk of being carriers should be given prophylactic (preventive) oral antibiotics to protect themselves and others. Those at risk include people living in the same household or anyone in direct contact with the infected person's saliva (such as through kissing). During an outbreak, meningococcal vaccination is recommended for anyone identified as being at risk. In places like universities, this may involve implementing a mass "opt-in" vaccination program. Oral antibiotics are recommended for anyone potentially exposed to Neisseria meningitides even if they have already received the meningococcal vaccine. Meningitis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Frequently Asked Questions How do you prevent meningitis in babies? If you're pregnant, your doctor should test you for group B strep (GBS) bacteria at 36 to 37 weeks, since one out of four women carry the bacteria. If you test positive, you'll be given antibiotics during labor to make sure you don't pass the bacteria to your baby. Vaccinations for diseases like measles, mumps, varicella zoster, and influenza can also protect babies from viral meningitis. How is meningitis diagnosed? Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of meningitis. You may have tests to analyze your blood, urine, or mucus. A spinal tap may also be done to analyze your spinal fluid and confirm which type of bacteria are causing your illness. A Word From Verywell Meningitis has many different causes. The most serious causes can be prevented with vaccinations, good hygiene, and the avoidance of infection. If meningitis does occur, either infectious or non-infectious, it is important to recognize the symptoms. Call your doctor or seek emergency care if you experience any of the tell-tale signs, including: Sudden high fever Neck stiffness Headache with nausea or vomiting Confusion Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking Sensitivity to light Seizures Early diagnosis and treatment almost invariably lead to better outcomes. How Meningitis Is Treated Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral meningitis. Updated August 6, 2019. Hersi K, Gonzalez FJ, Kondamudi NP. Meningitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Updated February 26, 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease: age as a risk factor. Updated May 31, 2019. Wang AY, Machicado JD, Khoury NT, Wootton SH, Salazar L, Hasburn R. Community-acquired meningitis in older adults: clinical features, etiology, and prognostic factors. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2014 Nov; 62(11): 2064-70. doi:10.1111/jgs.13110 Van Veen KEB, Brouwer MC, van der Ende A, van de Beek D. Bacterial meningitis in patients using immunosuppressive medication: a population-based prospective nationwide study. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2017;12(2):213-8. doi:10.1007/s11481-016-9705-6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease: prevention. 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