Bacterial Meningitis Prevention for ChildrenOve 2 Years Old and Adults

Bacterial meningitis can cause hearing damage, brain damage, amputations or death. Meningitis, however can also cause a mild disease that may go by unnoticed and resolve itself without treatment. Infants, adolescents and young adults are in the most vulnerable age groups for getting meningitis.

Much is still unknown about meningitis, but the bacteria most likely to cause meningitis have been identified. The causes of meningitis change somewhat according to the age and health condition of the individual.

In children over 2 years old and adults, the bacteria listed below have been known to cause bacterial meningitis:

• Meningococcal meningitis
• Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
• Pneumonococcus
• Tuberculosis (meningitis caused by tuberculosis is very rare)

How Can I Prevent Getting These Bugs?

• Find out if you or your child should get one or more of the vaccines to protect against getting meningitis.
• Know the symptoms of meningitis and go to the emergency room immediately if meningitis is suspected.
• If someone close to you or your child has had meningitis, please consult with your doctor to find out if you should take antibiotics to prevent meningitis.
• Wash hands properly after going to the toilet and before eating -- and wash your child's hands, too.
• Quit smoking and encourage those around you to quit, too. Smoking and being exposed to second-hand smoke increases the risk of getting meningitis.
• Seek medical help for underlying diseases, colds and flu.
• If you or your child is at high risk for getting meningitis because of a weakened immune system, read about prevention of bacterial meningitis for newborns under 2 months old and people with weakened immune systems.

Back to Bacterial Meningitis 101

More Information About Meningitis:

• Symptoms of Meningitis
• Meningitis Vaccines

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traveler's Health. Yellow Book. Meningococcal disease. Retrieved August 14, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Mycotic and Bacterial Diseases. Meningococcal Disease. Retrieved September 1, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR (August 10, 2007). Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control. Hamophilus Influenza type B (Hib) Vaccine; What You Need to Know. Retrieved September 1, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control. Frequently Asked Questions about the Pnuemonococcal Conjugate Vaccine for Parents. Retrieved September 4, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control. Pnuemonococcal Disease-In Short. Retrieved September 4, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control. Vaccines and Immunizations. Pnuemonococcal Disease in Children: Q and A. Retrieved September 20, 2007.

Heymann, David (2004.) Control of communicable diseases manual. Washington D.C.: American Public Health Association.

Bernal, Oscar. Personal communication. August 15, 2007.