What if a child comes into contact with a person who develops meningitis?
The answer depends on which bacteria are causing the meningitis. If the meningitis is caused by Hemophilus influenza or meningococcus, preventative antibiotics (usually rifampin), taken by mouth, are given to close contacts (household, barrack, dorm, school or day care). In the case of outbreaks or mini-epidemics of meningococcus, which occurred in the early 1990’s and more recently during the winter season of 2000-2001, mass vaccination may be recommended by public health authorities (see details below). Is there a single meningitis vaccine? Because there are several bacteria that cause meningitis there is no single “Meningitis” vaccine protecting against all of the possible bacterial causes. However, what has had a big impact on decreasing meningitis is the introduction of the Hemophilus Influenzae vaccine which is now given routinely to all children from 2 month of age. Hemophilus meningitis and other related infections have decreased significantly since the vaccination was given un
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