Prevention

Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best defense. Good hygiene is also an important way to prevent most infections. Avoid sharing drinking glasses, water bottles, eating utensils, tissues, and lip-gloss/lipsticks. Wash hands often with soap. If you are pregnant, you can reduce your risk of listeriosis (an infection caused by listeria bacteria) by cooking meats thoroughly and by avoiding cheeses made from unpasteurized milk.

Bacterial Meningitis

Routine immunizations can be very effective in preventing meningitis. There are vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib), measles, meningococcus, mumps, pneumococcus, and polio that can protect against meningitis caused by these organisms.

There are vaccines for the three main causes of bacterial meningitis: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib), and Neisseria meningitidis:

Meningococcal vaccines (Neisseria meningitidis)

There are two vaccines against N. meningitidis available in the U.S. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4 or Menomune®) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and available since 1981. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4 or Menactra®) was licensed in 2005. Each vaccine can prevent 4 serotypes of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the U.S. (serogroups C, Y, and W-135) and a type that causes epidemics in Africa (serogroup A). Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of the disease, but they do protect many people who might become sick if they didn't get the vaccine. For information on the meningococcal vaccine, visit the vaccine site.

Pneumococcal vaccines (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine currently available: a polysaccharide vaccine and a conjugate vaccine. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV7 or Prevnar®, licensed in late 2000, is the first pneumococcal vaccine that can be used in children under the age of 2 years. However, pneumococcal vaccines for the prevention of disease among children and adults who are 2 years and older have been in use since 1977. Pneumovax® and Pnu-Immune® are 23-valent polysaccharide vaccines (PPV23) that are currently recommended for use in all adults who are older than 65 years of age and for persons who are 2 years and older and at high risk for disease (e.g., sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromising condition.) For information on pneumococcal vaccines, visit the vaccine site.

Hib vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae serotype b)

The Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine is highly effective against bacterial meningitis caused by a type of bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b. But is not effective against non-type b Haemophilus influenzae. However, non-type b disease is rare in comparison to pre-vaccine Haemophilus influenzae type b disease. Hib vaccine can also prevent pneumonia (lung infection), epiglottitis (a severe throat infection), and other serious infections caused by Hib. It is recommended for all children under 5 years old in the U.S., and it is usually given to infants starting at two months old. Hib vaccine can be combined with other vaccines. In the U.S., Hib vaccine is available also combined with either DTaP or Hep B vaccine. For information on Hib vaccine, visit the vaccine site.

Viral Meningitis

Preventing the spread of viruses can be difficult, especially since sometimes people are infected with a virus (like enterovirus), but they do not appear sick. In such cases, people can still spread the virus to others. Following good hygiene practices can help lower your chances of becoming infected with viruses or of passing one on to someone else.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose.
• Clean contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or the TV remote control with soap and water and then disinfect them with a dilute solution of chlorine-containing bleach.
• Avoid kissing or sharing a drinking glass, eating utensil, lipstick, or other such items with sick people or with others when you are sick.
• Receiving vaccinations included in the childhood vaccination schedule can protect children against some diseases that can lead to viral meningitis. These include vaccines against measles and mumps (MMR vaccine) and chickenpox (varicella-zoster vaccine).
• Avoiding bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans may help reduce your risk for viral meningitis.
• If you have a rodent infestation in and/or around your home, follow the cleaning and control precautions listed on CDC’s website about LCMV (Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus).

Fungal Meningitis

There is little evidence that specific activities can lead to developing fungal meningitis, although avoiding exposure to environments likely to contain fungal elements is prudent. People who are immunosuppressed should try to avoid bird droppings, digging, and dusty activities, particularly if they live in a geographic region where Histoplasma, Coccidioides, or Blastomyces exists. HIV-infected people cannot completely avoid exposure. Some guidelines recommend that HIV-infected people receive antifungal prophylaxis if they live in a geographic area where the incidence of fungal infections is very high.