Browse Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Preventing Bacterial Meningitis

To help reduce your chances of getting bacterial meningitis, consider the following steps:

Vaccines against Hib -usually for children
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae usually for:
- All people over age 65
- People ages 2 to 64 with certain chronic medical problems
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae usually for:
- Infants
- All children older than 2years old
Preventative antibiotics-for healthcare workers or family members in close contact with infected patients
Buying pasteurized milk and milk products-to prevent meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes
Monitor for maternal infection during and before labor to prevent meningitis in newborns

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/

Meningitis Foundation of American
http://www.musa.org/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada
http://www.meningitis.ca/

References:

Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 17th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons;1999.

Diagnosis of acute meningitis in adult patients. American Family Physician website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000115/tips/9.html . Accessed June 24, 2008.

Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm . Accessed June 24, 2005.

Meningococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm#Are%20there%20vaccines%20against%20meningitis . Accessed November 27, 2005.

Last reviewed January 2009 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Talk about it in the:
Bacterial Meningitis Support Group

Log In

User ID
Password
	Remember Me

	Forget your Password?