How does bacterial meningitis spread?
Meningococcal bacteria are common, and they live in the back of the nose and throat. Some 15 percent of adolescents and adults carry them without suffering any harm. Once a person becomes a carrier, the silent infection may last for up to six months. Fortunately, meningococcal bacteria do not survive long outside of the body and are not very contagious. Infection is spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat, so it requires close, direct physical contact, combined with activities as kissing, coughing, and sneezing. It can also spread through saliva (spit) when sharing items such as cigarettes, lipstick, and food or drinks. The most common source of infection is the respiratory tract, but an infection can start in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or urinary system. From there the microorganisms can enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and enter the central nervous system. In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the germs spread directly to the meninges
