Is Meningitis Contagious?

Meningitis is a common infectious disease among school going kids. Meningitis is actually an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain. The symptoms of meningitis include common cold, flu and fever. Hence, most often it is difficult to differentiate meningitis from these common ailments. Moreover, the symptoms do not surface in every individual, who contracts meningitis. Thus, you may unknowingly spread meningitis for others to contract. People who act as carriers for meningitis are even more dangerous than ones with symptomatic meningitis. The severity of meningitis ranges from mild symptoms to death or permanent disability. More on meningitis symptoms in children.

Mode of Meningitis Transmission
Meningitis is caused by bacteria as well as virus. Viral meningitis is highly contagious as it spreads through the respiratory secretions of the infected person. Since, kids are often ignorant about basic hygiene practices, they are most susceptible to this form of meningitis. The incubation period of this virus is about 10 days, after which the disease spreads to others for a long time. A person is capable of infecting others after 10 days of the first sign of symptom. These viruses thrive at the back of nose and mouth and enter the respiratory systems of an uninfected person, from an unguarded sneeze or a cough. Bacterial meningitis is comparatively less contagious. Meningitis bacteria cannot thrive outside human body for long. Bacterial meningitis spreads through intimate contact, or whenever there is an exchange of saliva. This includes kissing, drinking fluids from the same glass, sharing toothbrushes, utensils etc. More on signs and symptoms of meningitis.

How Long is Meningitis Contagious?
Meningitis symptoms do not occur immediately after the person has been infected with the virus. It takes about 3-4 days for the symptoms to manifest. Most often, it is impossible for the virus to overcome the body's immune system, hence although, the virus remains inside the body, there are no symptoms of viral meningitis. However, it is very possible for the virus to spread through the modes of transmission mentioned above, and infect another person. If the immune system of this person is weak, then it is quite likely that she/he may show the symptoms of meningitis. The person who is infected with the virus is capable of transmitting it to others for several days, irrespective of whether he shows any symptoms or not. More on how long is viral meningitis contagious.

How to Prevent Meningitis Infection?
Now that you have got an answer to your question, 'is meningitis contagious?', you should definitely try and avoid getting infected. You can take the following precautionary measures to prevent yourself from contracting meningitis.

• Always follow basic hygiene practices, such as washing hands with disinfectant after visiting toilet.
• Train children about proper toilet etiquettes.
• Clean the surfaces with disinfectant or chlorine bleach.
• Make it a habit to cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing.
• Do not share drinks, utensils and items of personal hygiene with an infected person.
• Do not indulge in kissing or intimate physical contact with an infected person.
• Get yourself immunized on a routine basis. More on meningitis vaccine side effects.

Meningitis can be perfectly lethal, if not treated on time. Bacterial meningitis, particularly, gives you very little time, about 1-2 days after the symptoms appear. Hence, if you have high fever that lasts more than 24 hours, consult a physician immediately. Do not try to treat yourself with the help of over-the-counter medications. Hope this article helped you in answering the question, is meningitis contagious?