Meningitis; meningococcal

Alternative names:

meningococcal meningitis

Prevention:

Close contacts in the same household or day-care center should be watched for early signs of the disease as soon as the initial case is diagnosed. Preventive measures, such as washing your hands before and after changing a diaper or using the bathroom, and practicing other good hygiene habits, should be implemented. Vaccines are effective for the control of epidemics.

It is recommended that all family contacts of individuals with this type of meningitis begin chemoprophylaxis (drug therapy for prevention) as soon as possible. The drug of choice is rifampin. Ask your health care provider about it during the initial diagnostic visit.