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Know about the Different Types of Meningitis and Ways to Prevent It

Meningitis refers to the swelling of the membranes that surround your spinal cord as well as the brain. Parasites, fungi or even injuries usually are the cause behind it most of the times. Children are more prone to getting meningitis, compared to adults. The symptoms begin to show within weeks after a person has been exposed to the disease-causing bacterium, fungi or parasite. Meningitis is usually curable. However, it can turn out to be life-threatening at times. But the main question is – is meningitis contagious? Whether or not your meningitis is contagious depends on your age and what type of meningitis you have. Some of these are as follows-

Fungal meningitis
Cryptococcus causes fungal meningitis, a type of fungus that is most likely to strike people who have weak immune systems. However, fungal meningitis is not contagious until you purposely touch the affected area and then touch other parts of your skin with it.
Parasitic meningitis
It is a sporadic form of meningitis and can turn out to be life-threatening. Whether or not meningitis is contagious does not depend on how fatal it is. This type of meningitis is caused by Naegleria fowler, a type of microscopic brain-eating amoeba. The parasite usually marks its entry points through the nose. They are picked up from either lakes or rivers. Hence, it is a kind of water infection. However, you cannot get it by drinking contaminated water, because it happens when the amoeba touches sensitive areas of your skin. Therefore, this type is also not contagious.
Non-infectious meningitis
Infection is not always the cause of meningitis. It can also appear as an aftermath of surgery or a head injury. Cancer or other diseases like lupus or even certain drugs can cause it at times. Therefore, even this type is not contagious.
Viral meningitis
It is the most common type of meningitis but is not life-threatening. Certain enteroviruses cause this type of meningitis. They can spread through contact with saliva, feces or even nasal mucus. Whether or not this meningitis is contagious depends upon your contact with the infected person. Direct contact or even some type of indirect contact with that person can increase your risk of getting this type of meningitis.
Arbovirus meningitis
Arbovirus meningitis is usually spread by ticks or mosquitos. This type of infection usually occurs during summer or even early fall. However, it is contagious and spreads only by mosquitoes and not the person infected.
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and happens to be a very serious disease. There are two types of such meningitis – Neisseria meningitis and Streptococcus meningitis and both of them are highly contagious. Since the bacteria cannot survive outside the body for a long time, it looks for other bodies to manifest. Close or prolonged contact with someone who has this infection might increase your risk of getting it too. These are fairly common in hostels, dorms, schools and even daycare centers.

Whether or not meningitis is contagious also depends on some other carriers that facilitate the transfer. These are as follows-

Mucus
Saliva
Sharing utensils
Sneezing on someone
Coughing
Kissing
Contaminated food

Some people have contagious meningitis already present in their throats or even noses, and even if the other person is not sick, there is a chance that the meningitis is contagious. You can take a few precautions and measures to avoid the risk of being infected by meningitis. These are as follows-

Wash your hand frequently after you touch something or before you touch someone.
Dry your hands thoroughly.
Cover your mouth and nose while you are sneezing.
Stay up to date on your booster shots, injections, and immunizations.
Consult a doctor before going out of the country and carry your medicines with you.

The duration for which meningitis remains contagious depends on the infectious bacteria causing this infection. It is said that till the patient tends to secrete infectious agents in the form of saliva or mucus, the bacteria are contagious and when this stops, the meningitis is not contagious any longer. The incubation period might last for up to fourteen days. It can even last for months in case the person is a carrier. However, taking antibiotic drugs can shorten the contagion period. If you do go to the physician or the doctor, they will perform certain tests on you. These will be based on blood and urine samples. They will record your history and have a physical exam done. They can also perform a spinal tap to examine the spinal fluid that can help detect the agents or bacteria involved. Other tests might also take place to examine the different bacteria and viruses. Therefore, allow your physician to do the tests required and give you the treatment you need.

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