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Neisseria meningitidis are bacteria that can cause illness in people of any age.

during kissing, sharing of food, drinks or cigarettes, and by close contact with infected people who are sneezing or coughing.

There are vaccines, which can be used to help prevent this kind of meningitis.

s a vaccine called “Hib vaccine” that prevents infants and young children from getting Hib disease

adults are resistant

Streptococcus pneumoniae are bacteria that cause lung and ear infections but can also cause “pneumococcal” meningitis

found in the throa

, people with chronic medical problems or with weakened immune systems, and those who are very young or very old, are at higher risk for getting pneumococcal meningitis.

person-to-person through contact with infected saliva.

Viral meningitis, also called aseptic meningitis, is much more common than bacterial meningitis.

do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper or soiled sheets, then touch their own mouths, prepare food for others, or touch others

throat and feces

face-to-face contact

enteroviruses don’t cause people to feel very sick

crankiness or tiredness and poor feeding.

Fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and rash can all be signs of meningitis

confusion, sleepiness, and trouble waking up

saliva (spit) or feces (stool)

treptococcus pneumoniae is not spread from person-to-person

Frequent handwashing with soap

Not sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils

Your health care provider