There is considerable confusion about whether bacterial meningitis is contagious. This story will clear all your doubts about the same.
If anybody close to you has been affected by bacterial meningitis, you are bound to worry about whether it is contagious and what are the precautions that one must take to prevent this contagion. Questions about the contagious nature of the disease are bound to come up in your mind.
What is Bacterial Meningitis?
Whether such a disease is contagious, depends on the kind of pathogen that causes it. Meningitis is the infection of the membranes (meninges) that cover and protect the brain and the spinal cord, along with the cerebrospinal fluid. That is why, it is often known as spinal meningitis.
There are two types of meningitis infections. It can be caused by different types of pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. Viral meningitis is not as severe as the bacterial one, which can be extremely severe in its repercussions, even resulting in fatality or severe brain damage.
If not treated soon, it can also cause hearing loss, as well as mental retardation. There are three types of bacteria that can cause this type of meningitis. They are Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis.
The infection due to the first type, that is Haemophilus influenzae has been reduced through vaccination. The rest of the two bacteria still remain the leading causes.
Bacterial meningitis in infants and children is especially more dangerous and can go unnoticed, due to similarity of its symptoms with common cold. The most common symptoms in adults include a severe headache, fever, and stiffness of neck.
Besides these, other typical symptoms are confusion, fever, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. With progression of the disease in elderly, the infants, and adults, seizures set in.
Diagnosis can be made through a lumbar puncture and testing of the cerebrospinal fluid. Correct identification of bacterial species is essential for treatment. The treatment of the disease includes administration of antibiotic drugs and corticosteroids in some cases, to prevent brain damage.
Is it Contagious Through Any Medium?
Some particular forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious through exchange of respiratory fluids or secretions. A person affected with it, can spread this disease through coughing, sneezing, and kissing.
However, the disease does not spread through casual contact or just breathing air in the vicinity of the patient. However, intimate physical contact should be avoided till the patient has recovered fully.
People who cannot avoid prolonged contact with patients affected by the disease, which may include their family, should go for prophylaxis in the form of a preemptive dose of antibiotics.
Adults or children who are immuno compromised, should especially be given a meningitis vaccine or a preemptive antibiotic dosage. It is good practice to get vaccinated against pathogenic strains of certain bacteria.
All the available vaccines like MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine), PPV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), and (PCV7) pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against bacterial meningitis are highly effective and should be administered to people of all ages, who are at an increased risk of infection.
Early diagnosis and treatment can stop the disease early in its tracks, before it can cause major damage. Adequate preventive measures on part of the patient and people who are taking care of him, can prevent contagion.