Meningitis FAQs

Q: Which doctor should beconsulted for Meningitis?

A: You can consult a neurologist and general physician.

Q: Is Meningitis Contagious?

A: Yes, some bacteria and virus causing meningitis are infectious and spread from one person to another. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs, talks the infecting particles become airborne and can spread to another. Sharing food, drinking glasses, utensils, tissues, towels can transmit the infection. Some infectious organisms are also present in the stool of the infected person and can spread to someone who comes in contact with the stool.

Q: Is there a high-risk group for contracting the disease?

A: Individuals who are suffering from immuno suppressive disorders like HIV, diabetes, malignancies and those on immunosuppressants can contract the disease easily. Similarly young children and the elderly, household contacts of patients, military recruits, college students living in close quarters are at risk of getting the disease.

Q: Are there Vaccines against Meningitis?

A: Yes. There is a vaccine against a bacteria-causing meningitis called the Hemophilus influenza type B vaccine (HiB vaccine). Hib vaccine is one of the childhood vaccines given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months of age. Hib vaccine is also given to the high-risk group. But the vaccine protects against meningitis caused by this bacteria. Also, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is very effective at preventing pneumococcal meningitis.

Q: What are the Complications of meningitis?

A: The complications of bacterial meningitis can include problems such as hearing loss, visual impairment, seizures, and learning disabilities in children. Tiredness, repeated headaches and concentration problems can occur. Mood swings, aggression, balance problems and clumsiness are some complications that generally resolve in few days time. Viral meningitis generally resolves without any after effects.