Meningitis Vaccination

Prevent some types of meningitis through vaccination

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis may be caused by many different viruses and bacteria. It can also be caused by diseases that can trigger inflammation of tissues of the body without infection (such as systemic Lupus and Behcet's disease). Some types of meningitis can be deadly if not treated promptly. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor immediately. If dealt with promptly, meningitis can be treated successfully, so it's important to get routine vaccinations, know the signs of meningitis, and if you suspect that you or someone in your family has the illness, seek medical care right away.

Vaccination against meningitis

There are different forms of meningitis. Some can be prevented through vaccination, others cannot.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis can be very severe and can cause brain damage, loss of hearing and other disabilities if the case becomes advanced and is not treated quickly. Many survivors of bacterial meningitis have long-term complications, such as paralysis or seizures. Bacterial meningitis is spread through the throat and respiratory secretions, especially discharge from the nose or throat from someone who is infected. Even after the start of antibiotics, bacterial meningitis can still be spread for 24 hours.

Vaccination is the only way to prevent bacterial meningitis, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. There are vaccines for the three main causes of bacterial meningitis, each administered according to different schedules. Most states require residents to receive one or more of those vaccines:

1) Pneumococcal Vaccines (for treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae)

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine currently available. The first protects against seven strains of pneumococcal bacteria and is recommended for all children younger than 5 years of age. Infants should receive four doses of this vaccine.

The second pneumococcal vaccine protects against 23 strains of S. pneumoniae, and is recommended for all people older than 65 years and for anyone older than two years of age who has cirrhosis, cochlear implants, diabetes, heart disease, leaking cerebrospinal fluid or lung disease. Adults can receive a booster dose of this vaccine after 5 years.

These two vaccines can also prevent other forms of infection due to S. pneumoniae.

2) Serotype Vaccine (for treatment of Haemophilus influenza type b–usually abbreviated Hib)

The Hib is highly effective against bacterial meningitis, but generally, only infants should be vaccinated with it. The bacterium rarely causes disease in anyone older than 6 years. Infants should receive a total of four Hib vaccine doses starting at age 2 months. By 6 months of age, every infant should receive at least three doses. A fourth dose ("booster") should be given to children between 12 and 18 months of age. Older children and adults who were not vaccinated when younger may receive an Hib vaccine if they have HIV or AIDS, have had their spleen removed, had a bone marrow transplant or are undergoing chemotherapy. The Hib vaccine can also prevent pneumonia (lung infection), epiglottitis (a severe throat infection), and other serious infections caused by Hib.

3) Meningococcal Vaccines (for treatment of Neisseria meningitides–often abbreviated N. meningitides)

There are two vaccines against N. meningitides, each of which can prevent 4 types of bacterial meningitis. All adolescents and teens between the ages of 11 and 18 years should be vaccinated against N. meningitides. This vaccine is not effective in children under 18 months of age. College students are typically given the vaccine prior to residence in a dormitory. In addition, children between the ages of 2 and 10 years should be vaccinated if they travel to, or reside in, a country where meningitis occurs frequently, if they have had their spleen removed, or if they have an immune system disorder called terminal complement deficiency. Adults who did not get immunized as children or teens should be vaccinated if they live in a college dormitory, enlist in the armed services, have their spleen removed, work with N. meningitides in laboratory settings, or travel to or live in countries where meningitis is endemic or epidemic.

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is caused by enteroviruses that spread through contact with saliva, mucus or feces. This type of meningitis is highly contagious, but far less serious than bacterial meningitis. It occurs frequently in children and can often be a complication of childhood diseases such as measles or chickenpox, and complications from the mumps. It often remains undiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to those of the common flu. There is no vaccine against viral meningitis.

Amoebic Meningitis

Amoebic meningitis, though rare, often leads to death. This infection is most often caused by amoeba that live in stagnant or geothermal pools of water. Amoebic meningitis is contracted when a person submerges his head in water and the amoeba, a tiny organism, enters the person's nose. Unlike viral, bacterial and fungal meningitis, amoebic meningitis is not contagious. Symptoms normally appear three to seven days after visiting a geothermal pool. In the early stages of the infection, symptoms include headache, fever and vomiting. There is no vaccine against amoebic meningitis.

How meningitis is spread

Fortunately, the bacteria that cause meningitis are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. They are generally spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (for example, coughing, kissing). However, sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis can spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis. People in the same household, dormitory, or daycare center, or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend) would be considered at increased risk of acquiring the infection. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningitis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease.