Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Meningitis

See Also:
Meningitis: Introduction
Meningitis: Types
Meningitis: Causes & Risk Factors
Meningitis: Signs & Symptoms
Meningitis: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Meningitis: Treatment Options
Meningitis: Prevention Methods

Prevention Methods

Meningitis is a contagious disease and can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush and a cigarette. Good hygeine and cleanliness by washing hands thoroughly with soap after using toilets and before eating food will help prevent the disease. Pregnant women should consume well-cooked meat and avoid eating cheese from unpasteurized milk.

Immunization with vaccines can prevent meningitis; some of them are as follows:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine: Children in the US receive this vaccine routinely. The vaccine is also recommended for adults suffering from AIDS and Sickle cell disease.

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7): This vaccine is given to children below two years of age and is recommended to children between 2-5 years.

• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV): Older children, younger adults and adults above 65 years of age suffering from immune-compromised disease are advised to have this vaccine.

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4): Previously unvaccinated children of 11-12 years, adolescents (about 15 years) and college freshmen residing in dormitories are advised to get vaccinated with MCV4 (21).

See Also:
Meningitis: Introduction
Meningitis: Types
Meningitis: Causes & Risk Factors
Meningitis: Signs & Symptoms
Meningitis: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Meningitis: Treatment Options
Meningitis: Prevention Methods

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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