anticonvulsants might be given for seizures

The vaccines against Hib, measles, mumps, polio, meningococcus, and pneumococcus can protect against meningitis caused by these microorganisms

Bacterial meningitis is rare

caused by bacteria or viruses, but some can be due to certain medications or illnesses

kids may need supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation if they have difficulty breathing.

kids get vaccinated for meningococcal disease when they're 11 years old

If someone develops shock or low blood pressure, additional IV fluids and certain medications might be given to increase blood pressure

Viral meningitis (also called aseptic meningitis

with a booster shot at age 16

Bacterial meningitis complications can be severe and include neurological problems such as hearing loss, visual impairment, seizures, and learning disabilities.

They might simply have extreme irritability, lethargy, or fever. They may be difficult to comfort, even when they are picked up and rocked

s relatively common and far less serious

fever lethargy (decreased consciousness) irritability headache photophobia (eye sensitivity to light) stiff neck skin rashes seizures

those who've had bacterial meningitis should have a hearing test following their recovery

People of any age can get meningitis

The vaccine also might be recommended for kids between 6 weeks and 10 years old who have certain high-risk medical problems, and for people traveling to countries where meningitis is more common

spread among those living in close quarters, teens, college students, and boarding-school students are at higher risk for infection.

The heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands also might be affected, depending on the cause of the infection

If dealt with promptly, meningitis can be treated successfully

get routine vaccinations

know the signs of meningitis

good hygiene is an important

Common symptoms include:

Infants with meningitis may not have common symptoms

if you suspect that your child has the illness, seek medical care right away

Encourage kids to wash their hands thoroughly and often, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom

Avoiding close contact with someone who is obviously ill and not sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils can help halt the spread of germs as well.

Most cases of meningitis — both viral and bacterial — are due to infections that are contagious, spread via tiny drops of fluid from the throat and nose of someone who is infected.

Other symptoms of meningitis in infants can include: jaundice (a yellowish tint to the skin) stiffness of the body and neck fever or lower-than-normal temperature poor feeding a weak suck a high-pitched cry bulging fontanelles (the soft spot at the top/front of the baby's skull)

airborne when the person coughs, laughs, talks, or sneezes.

They then can infect others when people breathe them in or touch the drops and then touch their own noses or mouths

Bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, urinary system, or gastrointestinal and respiratory tract can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord.

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis

In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria spread to the meninges from a severe head trauma or a severe local infection, such as a serious ear infection (otitis media) or nasal sinus infection (sinusitis).

Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect your child has meningitis or has symptoms such as vomiting, headache, lethargy or confusion, neck stiffness, rash, and fever

Infants who have fever, irritability, poor feeding, and lethargy should also be assessed by a doctor right away.

Infections most often spread between people who are in close contact, such as those who live together or people who are exposed by kissing or sharing eating utensils. Casual contact at school or work with someone who has one of these infections usually will not transmit the infectious agent.

tends to cause flu-like symptoms

Most cases of viral meningitis resolve completely within 7 to 10 days, without any complications or need for treatment

If your child has had contact with someone who has meningitis (for example, in a childcare center or a college dorm), call your doctor to ask whether preventive medication is recommended

Sharing food, drinking glasses, eating utensils, tissues, or towels all can transmit infection as well. Some infectious organisms can spread through a person's stool (poop), and someone who comes in contact with the stool — such as kids in daycare — may develop the infection.

newborns, the most common causes are Group B streptococcus

In older kids, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are more often the causes

if you think that your child has any form of meningitis, it's important to see the doctor right away.

Another bacteria, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), also can cause the illness but because of widespread childhood immunization, these cases are rarer

If meningitis is suspected, the doctor will order laboratory tests to help make the diagnosis, probably including a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect a sample of spinal fluid.

many different viruses can lead to viral meningitis

coxsackievirus and poliovirus

, although some kids are allowed to recover at home if they are not too ill. Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medication.

Someone with viral meningitis may be hospitalized

If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed — or even suspected — doctors will start intravenous (IV

antibiotic

Fluids may be given to replace those lost to fever, sweating, vomiting, and poor appetite.

soon as possibl

it is important to know the specific cause of meningitis.

Having meningitis doesn't always mean you have meningococcal disease

having meningococcal disease doesn’t necessarily mean you have meningitis

 Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus

Bacterial meningitis is contagious

spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., kissing

contamination

, are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination

can occur when changing a diaper

or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards), but enteroviruses can also be spread via eye, nose, and mouth secretions (such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum), or blister fluid.