how do you catch meningitis?

Question

my neice as been taken to hospital she is only 6months old with what the gp thinks to be meningitis. they are doing tests to determate if it is but i have been in close contact with my niece and i am also worried about my baby who is 10 months old i dont think she has any signs apart from the kinda like a lump on her soft spot on thefront of her head.which my sister mentioned 4 days ago and i just thought it was the shape of her head. could she have caught it or even worse got it and passed it on to my sisters daughter

Answer 1

There are 2 ways of getting it.
1) From being in contact with someone else who has it. Transmitted in a similar way a cold is.
2) She could be a carrier for the illness and has developd it.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

The meningococcus is passed from one person to another by droplets from the nose and throat, as a result of speaking, coughing, sneezing, shouting, singing or kissing. However, the germ is very fragile and dies quickly once it has left the body. This means that, in order for the meningococcus to pass from one person to another, the contact must be very close.

At any one time 10-12% of the population, and up to 25% of students carry the meningitis germ in the back of their throat. These 'carriers' do not usually become ill and they develop a degree of immunity to the meningococcus. If the meningococcus is passed on to a person who has no immunity to the germ, one of two things can happen:
most will become carriers and suffer no ill effects
a few become ill with meningitis or septicaemia as a result of the infection
What makes people differ in the way they respond to infection with the meningococcus, is not fully understood but may be due to differences in their immune system.

Answer 3

There are 2 types of meningitis 1. Bacterial 2. Viral. Of the two; bacterial is a much more serious condition. As a general rule; meningitis is spread much the same way as the flu or common cold (usually through transmission of nasal or saliva secretions). If you suspect that your infant has been exposed to the disease; have her visit her pediatrician or the ER immediately. They will likely do a basic "check-up" and possibly extensive blood work.

Answer 4

I would go and talk with the same doctor. He will know whether or not your dealing with bacterial or viral meningitis. He will probably ask questions about the amount of exposure and can tell what signs and symptoms to look for since they vary amoung the two types. But, yes both types are contagious. It is common in classrooms. When a child is diagnosed with it, it is not uncommon for the entire class to be treat prophylactically. Best wishes.

Answer 5

memingitis doesn't have anything to do with the lump on the head. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meneges - which is around the brain. It can be viral or bacterial. Viral is the kind you can catch. I would call you child's doctor and mention about the cousin that is in the hospital and ask their advice

Answer 6

maximum contaminated human beings don't get sick, or they grow to be purely mildly sick with a chilly, rash, or low-grade fever. the main hassle-loose reason for viral meningitis is enterovirusesare very hassle-loose interior the summertime and early fall, and a number of of human beings capture them. Enteroviruses many times are unfold by way of touch with saliva or mucus. This frequently happens whilst human beings are uncovered to the virus on the palms of, or on gadgets touched by employing, those with enteroviruses, then rub their own eyes, nostril, or mouth. The virus is likewise chanced on interior the stool (bowel stream) of human beings who're contaminated with enteroviruses. some varieties of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The micro organism are unfold by way of coughing, kissing, and different breath and throat secretions. they are no longer unfold by employing casual touch. whether, people who're in close touch with an contaminated guy or woman would capture the an infection.

Answer 7

I sat next to someone in the hot tub the other day and now I am told he has spinal meningitis. Would I be exposed to it

Answer 8

www.meningitis.org -
my advice to you is to see your GP as soon as possible. It is passed on by saliva and close contact. Most people have a built in am unity to diseases, and do not necessary catch it because of close contact. Just to be certain, and a peace of mind for you. GL

Answer 9

If she had it, you woul dknow. She'd be running a huge fever, and in a lot of pain. It transfers just like the flu, but you can get a vaccine for it.