Meningitis Information

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord.  It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms.Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with 5 serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a complete recovery. If left untreated or if treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis can be fatal, or a person may be left with permanent disability.

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes) or when people cough or sneeze without covering their mouth and nose.

The bacteria do not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the bacteria for days, weeks or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body's immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.

Bacterial meningitis (an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused by bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae) can be prevented with vaccines. The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae and is recommended for babies. The meningococcal vaccines protect against Neisseria meningitidis. There are two types: MCV4, which protects against four strains (A, C, W, Y), and MenB, which protects against strain B.

MCV4 is recommended for children ages 11–12, with a booster at 16–18. In Texas, students in grades 7–12 must have at least one dose of MCV4. College students under 22 also need a recent dose. MenB is optional for teens and young adults ages 16–23 and is not required for school or college enrollment in Texas.

These vaccines are safe and effective. Most side effects are mild, like soreness or redness where the shot was given. Protection usually develops within one to two weeks and lasts several years.

Simple ways to stay healthy:
Wash your hands often, don’t share food, drinks, or personal items, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and get plenty of rest. These habits help lower the chance of getting infections.

The CDC recommends that all adolescents receive the meningococcal vaccine at ages 11–12, followed by a booster at age 16. Texas Department of State Health Services requires proof of meningococcal vaccination for students entering seventh grade and a booster for students beginning college, regardless of whether they live in campus housing.

For more information, visit vaccine.texaschildrens.org.

For guidance on infectious diseases and vaccines, consult your school nurse, family doctor, or local health department. You can also contact your doctor or a regional health office for information about the meningococcal vaccine.

Additional resources include:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
School Immunization Requirements (DSHS)